JAMAICA — Samson and Delilah have nothing on the students at St. John’s University.
But unlike the famous Biblical tale of Delilah tricking Samson into losing his strength by cutting his hair, these students voluntarily lost their locks for a good cause.
On March 9, dozens of students participated in a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research. The students agreed to have their heads shaved to show solidarity with children battling cancer who have lost their hair during chemotherapy treatments.
“As a young man, I realize that I am lucky to be in good health. This shows solidarity with kids who don’t have that same good fortune,” said sophomore Joseph Kinsella, just before he sat in the barber’s chair to have hair stylist Manny Keith shave off his hair. “If I can do something small like this and raise money for them, it means a lot.”
His friend, Salvatore Martucci, a junior, who also agreed to shave his head, said he wanted to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.
“And I love the fact that it brings the community together,” Martucci said. “There are a lot of people out here in support.’
The St. John’s students raised $12,400 toward their $20,000 goal.
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The fundraiser, which took place in the D’Angelo Center on the St. John’s campus, was co-hosted by the university’s Student Government Inc., Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Office of Student Conduct. The event had the atmosphere of a major sporting event, with each participant earning loud cheers from the crowd as their names were announced before stepping onto a stage where two barber chairs had been set up.
Brendan Blomquist, a sophomore who playfully pointed to his shaved head, confessed to feeling a little nervous beforehand.
“I was growing my hair out for a year. But I came here today because I thought of all the kids who have cancer who lose their hair,” he said. “This is a way to show them we care.”
Female students also braved the barber’s chair, though they chose haircuts rather than a razor.
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In addition to having their heads shaved or trimmed, the students spent the past several weeks soliciting donations from friends and loved ones.
The fundraising effort will continue, said Jack Flynn, assistant dean of students, who joined the students in getting his head shaved.
Founded in 1999, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation promotes and encourages pediatric cancer fundraisers worldwide in which participants shave their heads.
The foundation’s name is derived from a clever combination of the word “Bald” and St. Patrick’s name. The first head-shaving fundraiser took place on St. Patrick’s Day in 2000.
St. John’s University has a special connection to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, said Flynn, who noted that John Bender of the Class of 1987 co-founded the organization.
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St. John’s being a Catholic institution founded by the Congregation of the Mission (more commonly known as the Vincentians) is another big reason for its participation in St. Baldrick’s, Flynn added.
“You cannot be a Vincentian institution without service to those in need,” he explained.
Michael Aruta, a senior, noted how lucky the students are.
“We can choose to shave our heads. If my hair grows back in six months, I can live with that,” Aruta said. “But children with cancer don’t have that choice. They don’t choose to lose their hair. It just happens to them.”
Aruta was eager to participate but admitted that his mother “wasn’t thrilled” by the idea of a bald son. “I took my graduation photos today, before coming here for this. So, I think it’ll be OK,” he said with a smile.