Iowa City head-shaving event to raise funds for childhood cancer research

The St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money to fund the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives, has issued a lofty challenge to the Iowa City community to help raise money for pediatric cancer research. Be a hero for kids with cancer by shaving your head in return for pledges of financial support from friends and family on December 3 at The Summit – together let's Conquer Kids' Cancer!

Volunteers will shave their heads prior to a comedy event at The Summit, 10 Clinton Street Iowa City, Iowa. The head-shaving will begin at 6 p.m. and an adult comedy show will follow at 8 p.m. Entry is a $5 donation that will benefit St. Baldrick's.

James Warkentin, Chief  of the North Liberty Police Department, has bravely volunteered to be shorn at the event! Participants find that shaving their head in solidarity with the kids that frequently lose their hair as a result of treatment is a small sacrifice in comparison to what these children endure.

In addition, Sue O'Dioriso, M.D., a University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Pediatric Hematology Oncology Researcher and St. Baldrick's Research grant recipient, as well as two fellows working under Dr. O'Dioriso will be attending. Together the physicians will share their insight on the importance of funding this critical research.

This is the third St. Baldrick's event held near Iowa City and more than $13,000 has been raised for pediatric cancer research through these events. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is grateful that Nathan Timmel, event organizer, has chosen it as his charity to support during his Third Annual Comedy for Charity event. Timmel brings Brian Huggins and Andre Theobald who are also volunteering their talents as part of the comedy event.

About the St. Baldrick's Foundation

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child's best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation's first grants as an independent charity in 2005, it has funded over $76 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about St. Baldrick's, call 1.888.899.BALD or visit

www.StBaldricks.org.