The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is committed to raising money to fund research for finding a cure for childhood cancer. Kariann Ouelette, a senior at Peyton High School, is organizing a St. Baldrick’s event tentatively scheduled for March 15, 2014. During the St. Baldrickís fundraisers, participants have their heads shaved, with friends and family members donating money to the foundation. Shaving one’s head also provides emotional support to kids with cancer since they often lose hair during treatment. Ouelette’s interest started when her brother, John, and sister, Holly, shaved their heads as members of a fundraising team. A DJ from local radio station KILO encouraged Holly to shave her head, promising that he would do the same. Mary Ouelette, the teens’ mother, said the DJ told Holly, ìYou should shave your head. If anyone says anything, tell them it’s for a good cause.î Later, Holly felt ridiculed and heard several mean comments from her peers. She called the DJ who had initially supported her, and he said he would do a ìshoutoutî for her on the radio the next night, mentioning why she shaved her head and how it benefited kids with cancer. Kariann Ouelette said she thinks she will have everything organized on schedule. ìRight now, I don’t feel like I have anything done. It’s not until March, but I don’t want it to come up really fast.î She is looking for licensed beauticians and barbers willing to volunteer their time March 15 to shave heads of participants. ìRight now, I have three in mind, but I haven’t talked to them yet,î she said.She is also seeking a proper place to run the event, and would like to do so in the main shopping area of Falcon, as the area would be convenient for participants and also offer plenty of parking spaces.Ouelette and her mother visited the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce meeting in August, and plan to attend future meetings to garner support from the community. They currently have a graphic designer who has volunteered to help with advertising. Participants will be able to sign up online through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation website at http://stbaldricks.org/filling-the-funding-gap; the event will also welcome walk-in participants. The Falcon/Peyton event is not yet posted on the website.The St. Baldrick’s Foundation sends T-shirts to anyone who raises more than $50 in sponsorships. Ouelette said she isn’t planning on shaving her head. ìI just can’t,î she said. Her mother said the whole family had to watch the ridicule Holly experienced. Ouelette chose to contribute her efforts in setting up the fundraiser, and Ouelette’s service to the community doesn’t end with St. Baldrick’s. She is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America group and has helped organize the school’s veteran’s breakfast event.
