Ten inspired volunteers “braved the shave” at the 15th Annual St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving Event hosted by Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa (FMH) on October 20 to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. A portion of the funds raised at the event will support research grants at Blank Children’s Hospital.
The event, which was held virtually for the first time this year, raised a total of $66,018 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Blank Children’s Hospital is a St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant recipient.
“Ensuring high-quality patient care for children is our mission at Blank Children’s Hospital and with the help of funds like those raised by Farmers Mutual Hail, this enables us to meet a critical need for children here in Central Iowa and across our state that are fighting cancer,” says Steve Stephenson, MD, president and chief operating officer for Blank Children’s Hospital.
The online event featured inspiring stories, speakers, and of course, the signature head-shaving activity where volunteers who raised funds shaved their heads in solidarity with children fighting cancer. A recording of the event is available to view at www.fmh.com/st-baldricks-event and donations are still being accepted.
Farmers Mutual Hail donated $30,000 to the Foundation this year. “The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has helped change the lives of children fighting cancer around the world and right here in Iowa,” said FMH President and CEO Ron Rutledge. “We’re proud to have raised over $1.3 million for this organization throughout these past 15 years, and we look forward to continuing to support the Foundation in the future.”
Thank you to the event sponsors: The River Center Eventorium, Bow and Arrow Communications Inc., Sunny’s Son’s Salon; and event emcees Lou and Jackie from We Are Iowa Live.
About Blank Children’s Hospital
Blank Children’s Hospital is committed to family-centered healing, caring and teaching. With hundreds of doctors, nurses and staff who care for patients from before birth through adolescence, Blank Children’s is a hospital unlike any other. The number of medical specialists, programs and services is constantly growing to improve care and meet the changing health needs of children and families. Blank Children’s Hospital is a provider-based facility of Iowa Methodist Medical Center. www.unitypoint.org/blankchildrens/history