On January 22, the community came together to support students as they shaved their heads for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to pediatric cancer research. Led by Jack Morvillo ’22, the event raised over $34,000 for the cause.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 with the goal of finding cures for childhood cancer. According to their website, the foundation has raised more than $312 million for research grants since its founding. St. Baldrick’s mainly fundraises through head-shaving events, which are a symbol of solidarity with children going through cancer treatment. The foundation also advocates for increased federal funding for pediatric cancer research.

Morvillo, who has been participating in the St. Baldrick’s initiative for the past nine years, was inspired to bring the event to the school with him from his hometown. Over the past four years, he and his siblings have raised over $220k for the foundation. Morvillo said, “This cause means a lot to me because I have lost two teammates to cancer, weathered a scare when my younger brother had a brain tumor, and, most recently, was inspired by a brave nine-year-old boy in my hometown of Weston, Connecticut, who just beat a cancer relapse.”

Initially, ten students signed up to participate, but in the end, over 30 people joined the fundraiser and shaved their heads.
Teddy Kim ’23, a participant, said, “Although I was anxious about shaving my head, I knew I was going to be able to raise money for a good cause, which pushed me to sign up. I wanted to support Jack and his efforts, and knowing others were going to be participating as well helped ease some of my nerves.”