The official student news site of Athens Drive High School

ATHENS ORACLE

The official student news site of Athens Drive High School

ATHENS ORACLE

The official student news site of Athens Drive High School

ATHENS ORACLE

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Lewis Winfield sheds precious locks for St. Baldrick’s Cancer Foundation

Winfield shaves hair to raise awareness of childhood cancer

Lewis Winfield, junior, lost his locks when he participated in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s signature head-shaving event, March 7. Winfield, along with thousands of other “shavees,” took part in a movement to not only raise money to help fund the research for a childhood cancer cure, but also to bring attention to the extensiveness of the disease.
“When I first participated in St. Baldrick’s, I was impressed by the enthusiasm and selflessness of the many fellow shavees and volunteers, particularly the surprisingly high number of women,” said Winfield. “I was also shocked to learn just how many children and their parents face this terrible disease.”
In 2010, Winfield had a friend who was diagnosed with leukemia. Winfield, along with some of his friends and teachers, joined St. Baldrick’s to show their support and raise money and awareness for research into a childhood cancer cure.
“If we can help to fund research and find a conclusive course of treatment, it will not only help children in our society who have trouble affording the extensive treatment required to overcome cancer, but it will also help children with cancer in other nations where treatment is more challenging to come by,” said Winfield.
Cancer kills more than 175,000 children worldwide every year. In the U.S. alone, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease. However, only four percent of the National Cancer Institute’s funds are directed to the research for a childhood cancer cure.
“It surprises me that so little is given to solve this problem, especially because it deals with children,” said Ashley Linares, Winfield’s Spanish teacher. “As people, we tend to have a bigger heart to protect children and set them up to live long lives.”
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has common views on the subject. These facts of reality helped to spur them into trying to change the stats and make an impact on the lives of children with cancer. By working with leading pediatric oncologists, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is able prioritize which research programs look the most promising and grant the available funds to further these studies. St. Baldrick’s is able to provide these funds because of the selfless efforts of more than 486,000 participants and volunteers in over 9,776 events and fundraisers. Over 154 million dollars have been raised to fund 820 grants to 329 institutions in 22 countries.
The Foundation began in 2000, at the initial head-shaving event. The goal was to shave 17 heads and raise $17,000, but in the end 19 heads were shaved and $104,000 was donated to fund the Children’s Oncology Group’s research. In the next couple of years, this event took off. By 2002, the trademarked head-shaving events had raised more than one million dollars. So far this year, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has already raised over 12 million dollars.
Volunteers are sponsored to get their head shaved. Participants ask friends and family to donate money for their cause through their St. Baldrick’s account and can choose to support a specific child with cancer or participate for the general cause. At the event, hundreds of people line up to watch and get their heads shaved while volunteer barbers spend hours shaving head after head.
“My favorite part is the interaction between the audience and the barbers,” said Winfield. “People are encouraged to donate more and the barbers will cut different, crazy styles in order to increase donations.”
This year, Winfield raised $850 of his annual one thousand dollar goal. Although he drew short, he plans to once again surpass this mile marker next year. The Raleigh event raised over 200 thousand dollars and more than 500 participants supported the cause by sacrificing their tresses.
“I like to put myself into the shoes of others and think about how I would feel if I were in their situation– I know I would want someone to support me,” said Winfield.

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