The 13th annual ELB event will be held March 14, 2014 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at Millikan High (2800 Snowden Ave.), where elementary, middle and high school children -- including dozens of Cubberley students (ages 5-14) and the entire Millikan High football team along plus supportive adults -- will have their heads shaved bald.

This year's event will honor Kayleigh, described in an event release as "an outgoing, energetic girl who loved school, sports, serving as a Millikan Kiddette and spending time with her friends and family." She was ten when she was diagnosed (further below.)

The St. Baldrick's Foundation (name combines "St. Patrick's Day" and "bald") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group that coordinates events across the country where volunteers have their heads shaved bald in solidarity with kids fighting cancer...and donors pledge money for each "shavee." Funds raised at the ELB event will support specific research projects and the research of the Children's Oncology Group, made up of more than 200 leading childhood cancer institutions worldwide, including Miller Children's, an event release states

This year's St. Baldrick's Day head shavings will take place at Millikan High, instead of the usual location at Cubberley K-8 school, specifically to honor Kayleigh. The entire Millikan High football team will be among more than 75 "shavees" along with members of the Long Beach Fire Department. Miller Children's Hospital has also put together a team in honor of Kayleigh.

To view the multiple participating teams -- and to donate if you wish with a mouse click -- see this link.

Kayleigh Scott is described as follows on the St. Baldrick's Day website:

Kayleigh was a very outgoing, energetic girl with a strong spirit who loved school and spending time with her friends and family. Prior to being diagnosed, she loved music, dancing, softball, volleyball and cheerleading as well as swimming, tennis and kayaking. She also played violin, flute and was learning to play guitar! She was a member of the MHS Kidette colorguard squad and loved performing!

Cancer treatment slowed her down physically and prevented her from participating in some of the sports she loved, but it didn't dampened her spirit. She was a bright, shining star to all those who knew her.

If asked about cancer, she'd say, "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 hoped to attend college followed by medical school to become a doctor. She loved science and math and hoped to use them to help others someday.

LBREPORT.com met Kayleigh at the March 2011 St. Baldrick's Day event along with Dr. Jerry Finklestein, founding Medical Director of the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center at Miller Children's Hospital. Dr. Finklestein told the crowd at the event that Kayleigh "should be your inspiration. She should be all of our inspirations."

Dr. Finkelstein with Kayleigh, Mar. 2011. LBREPORT.com photo

In May 2011, Kayleigh was one of four patients honored at a Profiles in Courage Gala, benefiting the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center at Miller Children's hospital.

Again: to donate to one of this year's St. Baldrick's Day LB teams with a mouse click, click this link.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is...

[release text] 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, St. Baldrick's has funded more than $78 million in childhood cancer research.

St. Baldrick's Day ELB Head Shaving Event
March 14, 2014, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Millikan High School
2800 Snowden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815