LOS ANGELES, CA. (February 17, 2011) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, today announced a virtual way to spread the word about the need to Conquer Kids’ Cancer. To coincide with one of St. Baldrick’s busiest months of signature head-shaving events, Xbox LIVE gamers are encouraged to shave their Avatar’s head between now and St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. The virtual shave is a public way to honor the many kids who typically lose their hair during cancer treatments. For more information and to share your bald Avatar, visit the Xbox LIVE Avatar Head-Shaving Day on Facebook, and spread the word to other users because it takes everyone, even Avatars, to help raise money and awareness to Conquer Kids’ Cancer!
The first St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event took place on March 17, 2000 and has since grown into the world’s largest volunteer organization of its kind where volunteers collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund childhood cancer research.
The Avatar head-shaving campaign is another creative concept from longtime St. Baldrick’s supporter Lou Monteleone from Eldred, N.Y. Monteleone has been 
a long-time St. Baldrick’s volunteer event organizer and shavee and is now challenging his fellow gamers to show their support! Given the fact that there are 24 million Xbox LIVE gamers, a legion of bald Avatars would make a bold statement against such a devastating disease.
Monteleone’s unique events are inspired by his own experience at a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event where he witnessed the difference just one person could make in the life of a sick child. “I was really touched by what the volunteers were doing, and since then I have been actively involved doing as much as I can to help raise awareness and funds for life-saving research,” Monteleone said.
It takes everyone’s help and generous support to achieve the Foundation’s goal of funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005; it has committed more than $56.9 million in research grants. In 2010, St. Baldrick’s volunteers helped raise more than $22.1 million by hosting more than 805 events and shaving more than 38,200 heads.
The St. Baldrick’s letsCONQUER movement is raising awareness with the help of volunteers, donors, researchers, public figures and celebrities that have added their voices to the cause. Do your part, get involved! To locate or organize an event in your community, sign-up to shave, donate or volunteer, visit www.StBaldricks.org. You can also become a supporter on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit the St. Baldrick’s YouTube and Vimeo channel.
About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005; it has funded over $56.9 million in childhood cancer research.
For more information about St. Baldrick’s, call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.
Helpful links:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/letsconquer/
http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/
https://www.stbaldricks.org/get_involved/
https://www.stbaldricks.org/get_involved/donate.php
http://www.facebook.com/StBaldricksFoundation
http://twitter.com/StBaldricks
The Catskill Chronicle 
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