‘Battle of the Bald’ raises funds for cancer cure research
HUNTLEY — On March 1 for a few hours, the gymnasium at Marlowe Middle School resembled a barber shop.
Locally, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation effort is known as “Battle of the Bald” as teams try and out fund-raise each other. In addition to Marlowe’s event March 1, another session was held the next day at Pinecrest Golf Club.
“We have about 40 people signed up this year,” organizer Sean Cratty said. “St. Baldrick’s is in its 25th year and 10th year here. I love it because it raises funds for pediatric cancer research, the most under-funded type of cancer research. If we raise $70,000, our 10-year total will be $500,000.”
Cratty presented Marlowe Middle School Principal Bill Johnson with a plaque for hosting the event.
Sue Erickson of Huntley said her son Matt, a sixth grader at Marlowe, looks forward to St. Baldrick’s every year. He was diagnosed with a cancer very early in his life.
“He was born with stage four brain cancer and had 16 surgeries. His diagnosis was that he would live only a few weeks, and we have gone 11 and one-half years longer. This event is amazing,” Sue Erickson said.
Several of Erickson’s relatives, some traveling from Michigan, attended the event.
All participants donned green t-shirts in support. A couple of men with full beards had their heads shaved, one included the beard. The Cosmetology and Spa Academy supplied the barbers at Marlowe.
“I think it looks good,” Jennifer Slad said after having her head shaved. “It will grow back in a couple of months.”
