For the first St. Baldrick's event at Ball State tomorrow, freshman Aly Austin signed up to possibly have her head shaved.
St. Baldrick's is an organization that raises money to help find cures for children with cancer. The hall council in Brayton/Clevenger is putting on the event this weekend from 12 to 5 p.m.
Students can either raise money to keep their hair or to cut or shave it. Austin's original goal was to raise $200 but when she received a large donation from her aunt and uncle, she increased it to $300. So far, she has raised close to $400 with the help of her friends and family.
Because she has reached her goal, Austin does not have to shave her head. She said she had really wanted to, though.
"It's kind of powerful when you see little kids with cancer and they're just fine," the psychology major said. "It's more emotional when it's kids so it's something I wanted to do to be more committed to it and show my support."
The minimum cost for a student to get their hair cut or shaved is $10. Registered beauticians will be cutting the hair.
There will also be a card making station for children with cancer, hat decorating for students who get their heads shaved and a photo booth.
As of March 14, there were 25 students signed up as well as 10 to 12 volunteers, Mollie Rockafellow, Brayton/Clevenger hall director said. Their goal is to raise $1,000.
Freshman Taylor Imus is on the committee for St. Baldrick's. She said being involved in the event is not only a good way for her to get involved, but it is good experience for her career in public relations.
"It's a really great event," she said. "We're raising money to help fund children's cancer research. And even if that isn't reason enough, it's going to be entertaining watching people get their heads shaved."
Imus added that there will be several St. Patrick's Day-themed activities along with shamrock cookies and green punch.
Students who raise money are also entered into a drawing to win either an iPad or iPod.
Participants have the option of honoring a specific St. Baldrick's child when they sign up. Austin is raising her money in honor of Emma B., a 10 year old from Indianapolis who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age four. She was treated at Riley hospital.
Although she does not know Emma personally, Austin read about her on the St. Baldrick's website. Austin added that participants can choose to honor multiple children, but she chose to focus on just one.
"She's had cancer her whole life," Austin said. "She loves to dress up and play. Her story touched me and I wanted to help her family. I'm really glad that it ended up being 400 [dollars] and not just 200 [dollars]."
According to the St. Baldrick's website, it says that "Emma can't wait for her hair to grow back out so that she can put it in 'pocahontas braids'!"
If a student gets more than 10 inches cut off, the hair will be donated to Locks of Love, Rockafellow said.
"I love to volunteer and I haven't had many opportunities to," Austin said. "And I love kids and it's such a sad thing, cancer is horrible. So I just wanted to help."
Some students have chosen to participate as a team, Rockafellow said. They have chosen one member to be the one to cut their hair and the rest have helped raise the money.
Imus said even if students stop by and donate a dollar to St. Baldrick's, it "would mean a lot to the event."
"It's just a good cause," Rockafellow said. "We definitely think that cancer has touched a lot of the students here in the building and a lot of people in America in general so we just think that any opportunity we can give to help and help our students see what's going on in the world around them."
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