Cubberley School Prepares For "St. Baldrick's Day" -- Fri. March 16 -- When Kids & Adults Have Their Heads Shaved To Raise Money To Fight Childhood Cancers; You Can Support Them Online

(Mar. 12, 2012) -- This Friday Mar. 16), ELB's Cubberley K-8 School (3200 Monogram Ave.) will once again take part in "St. Baldrick's Day," nationwide events in which volunteers have their heads shaved to raise money to fight childhood cancers.

Last year, 140 people had their heads shaved...and more than half were kids. Cubberley's participants ranged from 1st to 8th graders, boys and girls...and many were repeat participants.

LBReport.com 2011 photo

LBReport.com 2011 photo

As of predawn Monday (Mar. 12), Cubberley's St. Baldrick's Day webpage indicates Cubberley has raised $24,414...with a goal of $30,000.

To make a donation, click here.

Cubberley's online newsletter says:

In the past 10 years, our event alone has raised more than $480,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. In addition to the funds raised, Dr. Jerry Finklestein, who works with the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center in Long Beach, a grant recipient of St. Baldrick's, stated that Cubberley is #1 across the nation for the number of young people involved in St. Baldrick's head-shaving events. Through the extraordinary commitment of our students, parents, faculty, friends and family, Cubberley is creating an inspiring legacy in our community.

Last year's "shavees" included a large contingent of Long Beach Firefighters:

LBReport.com 2011 photo

LBReport.com 2011 photo

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government" says its website. From a St. Baldrick's Foundation fact sheet:

United States statistics:

Childhood cancer kills more children than any other disease -- more than AIDS, Asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and congenital anomalies, combined.

One in five children diagnosed with cancer will not survive.

Two-thirds of childhood cancer patients will have a long lasting chronic condition from the very treatment that helped save their lives.

Currently, childhood cancer research funding accounts for less than 4% of all cancer research funding allotted by the federal government.

At this coming Friday's (Mar. 16) Cubberley School event, registration and check-in tables open at 2 p.m. for "shavees" and guests. The event kick-offs at 2:45 p.m. with remarks by Mayor Bob Foster and 5th dist. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske (the event is in her district) along with other special guests. From 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., the shaving takes place. There'll also be a Crafts for Cancer collection table, and a Support the Kids Boutique (offering T-shirts and Bracelets for sale).

LBReport.com covers the event each year. To view video of last year's event (Mar. 18, 2011), click video icon below.

At last year's event, Dr. Jerry Z. Finkelstein, founding medical director of the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, said Cubberley School is "the number one school to my knowledge throughout the nation where the students at an intermediate school" join in having their heads shaved to raise funds to help children with cancer. "Low key Long Beach: they lead the nation again," he said.

Among those attending was Kayleigh, a student at Cubberley, now being treated by Dr. Finkelstein. "She should be your inspiration. She should be all of our inspirations," Dr. Finkelstein said.

Dr. Finkelstein with Kayleigh

Kayleigh is described on the event website as follows:

Kayleigh is a very outgoing, energetic girl with a strong spirit who loves school and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys music., dancing, softball, volleyball and cheerleading as well as swimming, tennis and kayaking. She also plays violin and flute!

Cancer has slowed her down a bit physically and prevents her from participating, for now, in some of the sports she loves, but it hasn't dampened her spirit. She is a bright, shining star to all those who know her. Ask her about cancer and she'll tell you, "Cancer is just something I have to get through. I'm going to get better and the Lord is going to use me and my cancer to help someone else somewhere, someday."

Kayleigh wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can help other kids who have to go through cancer, and maybe even find a cure to stop it.

St. Baldrick's Day at Cubberley K-8 School
3200 Monogram Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808
Event website, click here.
Registration/check in tables open 2:00 p.m.
Guests/opening ceremonies 2:45 p.m.
Shaving from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

To make a donation, click here.