Kudos go out today to Oakley Councilman Randy Pope who will stand in solidarity with children being treated for cancer by shaving his head with proceeds going to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Participating under the team “Oakland PD”, Councilman Pope has already raised $1,290 as of Friday night surpassing his goal of $1,000; however, people can still donate after the “shaving day”. Let’s see if we can help him get to reach over $2,000 by Easter. You can help by donating online to the Foundation on his page.
Pope decided to get involved with the St. Baldricks because of a friend at work who is a cancer survivor and started the team. He also noted is mother is a cancer survivor.
“As a father of three small children, I can’t even fathom what it would be like for a family to go through something like a child with cancer. I was also very moved by Mitchell’s Journey,” said Pope.
He explained that his head being shaved bald is all about the infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting cancer.
Every three minutes, a parent somewhere in the world is being told their child has cancer. 1-in-5 children diagnosed with cancer in the US and Canada will not survive while two-thirds of survivors will develop long term effects from the treatment that will save their life.
The sad part, every three minutes that cycle starts again with another child.
“Childhood terminal illness is abhorrent, in whatever form it comes. I felt driven to do something about it within my own sphere of influence. Sacrificing a little vanity is nothing compared to the sacrifices of the children and families affected by cancer.”
The councilman encourages everyone to get involved and either to join a team or create your own as everyone is working towards the same goal.
The foundation is not a one-day effort, it’s an everyday effort as already more than $21 million has been raised—last year, $30 million was raised. According to the website, there have been 41,451 males shaves and 7,048 female shaves already in 2013 with more on the way.
When asked if he would join an Oakley or East County effort to raise more money for St. Baldricks, he was more than willing.
“I would gladly shave my head everyday if it meant no more kids were afflicted. I would be more than happy to join an Oakley or east county effort, and shave my head again,” said Pope.
To see Councilman Popes fundraising progress, before and after photos, visit his page on the St. Baldrick’s website and I encourage you to donate online today to help him surpass $2,000.
About St. Baldricks Foundation:
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for life-saving childhood cancer research and funds more in childhood cancer grants than any organization except for the U.S. government.
Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $101 million to support the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world.
3 comments
I’ve shaved my head in the past for this organization it’s a great thing to get involved with. Hopefully there can be a few of these in East County.
The before and after pictures from this event are aways the best part.
One of our Oakley teachers is participating today as well. She and her teenaged son are both having their heads shaved at St. Baldrick’s for the third time in 4 years. It’s a very worthy cause.
Comments are closed.