In conjunction with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Sigma Phi Epsilon a fraternity at NKU is shaving their heads to raise money in support of childhood cancer research.
Since its rechartering in 2009, Sigma Phi Epsilon (or SigEp) has worked with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to raise money for childhood cancer research. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a charity committed to supporting research to find cures for childhood cancer and give survivors long and healthy lives.
Here’s how it works: Each brother sets a personal fundraising goal. Once their goals are reached, brothers have the option to shave their heads to show their support for children affected by cancer.
Working with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, SigEp’s annual campus-wide fundraiser allows the organization to shine a spotlight on the important and often overlooked issue of childhood cancer. According to the Foundation, before they turn 20, about 1 in 264 children in the U.S. will have cancer. More children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease.
Brothers may set their personal fundraising goals as low or as high as they would like. The head-shaving part is optional, but the brothers who do choose to go bald usually manage to raise the most money as friends and family pay to watch them receive a clean shave.
“Shaving my head last year was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had,” Sam Newman, a “shavee” from last year’s fundraiser said. “To see the effects of something so temporary create so much support and goodwill to an amazing cause truly touched my heart. Through Covid, uncertainty, and hardship, this philanthropy proves that good will triumph all, and I feel blessed to continue to be a part of this experience. Let’s continue to change lives one lock at a time.”
The public SigEp head shaving will take place on April 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside of NKU’s Student Union Building on the second-floor plaza. There will also music, raffle baskets and other giveaway items. The event is open to everyone who wishes to attend and will also be live streamed to the NKU Sigma Phi Epsilon Facebook page.