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Neil Armstrong, of Macomb, was the top individual fundraiser during the St. Baldrick's event, collecting $1,530.
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WIU's mascot made an appearance at Sunday's St. Baldrick's event.
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Koyo Masore, a sophomore mathematics major and RA in Caroline Grote Hall, shaved his head Sunday during the St. Baldrick's event.
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Complex Director of Thompson Andrew Haugen and Complex Director of Corbin-Olson, Jalyn Jones participated in Sunday's event.
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Pictured is the staff of Tanner Hall during Sunday's event.
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WIU St. Baldrick's Event Raises More than $11,000

March 26, 2018

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MACOMB, IL — Forty-five people went "under" the clippers Sunday at Western Illinois University as part of the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation event.

According to Megan Carney, Tanner Hall complex director, the 2018 Tanner Hall event raised more than $11,400 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Hundreds of individuals donated their time, fundraising abilities and willingness to "go bald" to help the national organization that raises awareness and funds to help support grants for research to cure children's cancer. Cash and check donations, online pledges and proceeds from local Macomb businesses raised money for the event.

Special guests at Sunday's event included the 45 individuals who shaved their heads; a special appearance from WIU's mascot, Colonel Rock III, and stylists from Michael's Hair Designers, Blades and Great Clips, who donated their time and talents for the event.

The top fundraising teams were Chi Omega ($1,675), Honey Badgers ($1,505) and The Beards Go2 ($905). The top fundraising individuals were Neil Armstrong, superintendent of Support Service at the Macomb Park District ($1,530), Kiana Asada, assistant complex director of Tanner Hall and College Student Personnel (CSP) graduate student ($1,360) and Mia Blankenship, a sophomore art major and Tanner Hall resident ($910).

"The work and execution of the St. Baldrick's event was wonderful," said Armstrong, the top individual fundraiser. "Megan and her team were so full of enthusiasm and encouragement. They brought a beacon of sunshine in this fight to end cancer in children. I look forward to the day when we will no longer have to face the challenges of cancer. Through the work of St Baldrick's, hopefully that day is nearer than we think."

"We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to our staff and volunteers, all whom worked so hard to get this event together, and to our stylists from Michael's, Blades, and Great Clips of Macomb who donated their time," Carney added. "This event struck many heartstrings with members of my staff; sadly three people on our team just recently found out that family members were diagnosed with different types of cancers. This gave us a huge push to raise money and work hard to meet our goal. We were even lucky to have some staff members spontaneously shave for this very personal reason."

Since 2000, St. Baldrick's Foundation volunteers nationwide have organized more than 11,000 events, shaving nearly 552,000 heads and raising more than $178 million for life-saving childhood cancer research.

For more information on St. Baldrick's, visit stbaldricks.org.

To learn more about the WIU event, or to donate to the 2018 Tanner Hall St. Baldrick's program, visit bit.ly/WIUSB18. The fundraising for this event does not stop after the event. The "Shave to Save" link will be open until December 2018 to continue to raise funds to make a difference to beat childhood cancer.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing