Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers along with local community members have come together to support the Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids and St. Baldrick’s Foundations.
Together the NICK foundation, Texture Pointe Salon of Highland, Ind, and the Clubhouse Bar and Grill of St. John, Ind, hosted a St. Baldrick’s head shaving event March 11, to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research. The NICK Foundation’s co-founder, Donna Criner said, “Pediatric cancer is very much under funded and we want to help change that.”
A team of Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers raised more than half of the events initial fundraising goal and over 25 percent of the proceeds. Lake Co. Sheriff’s Lt., John Peters said, “I have participated in other events like this but none for kids. I like kids, I like to give back. I will be shaving my head because this is a worthwhile cause.”
Local volunteers of the event called shavees, approximately 50 individuals formed teams and had their heads shaved to honor children that have lost their hair from chemotherapy treatments.
Some participants also donated their hair to the Locks for Love Foundation.
Barbers from Texture Pointe Salon donated their hair styling services for the event. The salon’s co-owner, Julie Compton said, “It is amazing, the stories we have heard while shaving their hair. We have almost been in tears.”
Compton said her salon has worked with the NICK Foundation in the past but never on this level. Compton said, “We all have too much, you know? So it’s all about giving back, we have to.”
Participants were glad to sacrifice their hair for the cause. Josh Hansen, a volunteer shavee said, “My little cousin had muscular dystrophy growing up and I saw the struggles that he had. I have been healthy my whole life but I understand and I feel for them.”
The St. John Fire Department provided a fire engine for the event. Children and parents were able to take pictures on the fire engine and tour the inside.
Schererville Fire Chief, Joe Kruzan served as a volunteer. He said, “Kids are the most overlooked, so much focus is placed on adult cancer and we lose focus of the kids. Cancer can strike anybody, anytime, anywhere; whether you’re white or black, male or female, young or old. It’s for causes like this that the community should unite and fight together against cancer.”
The event was the NICK foundation’s first involvement in a St. Baldrick’s head shaving fundraiser and participants collected nearly $15,000. The NICK Foundation’s president, Kate Perschon felt the fundraiser was very successful and has plans to make it an annual affair.
The event included live music by Taylor & Aaron’s Acoustic and The Rick Murk Trio. Local organizations and individuals including Chick-Fil-A of Merrillville, Ind, Comfort Inn and Suites and Orbitz Travel donated over 30 raffle prizes including silent auction items.
The Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation provides assistance and counsel to families in the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland areas affected by pediatric cancer. More information on this event or the NICK Foundation can be obtained by contacting Donna Criner at 219-765-7677 or info@nwicancerkids.org.