Union Football's St. Baldrick's Page

Kristen's Kause

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- A total of 11 members of the Union College football team joined other members of the community at the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation charity event at the Saratoga City Tavern on March 9. The Dutchmen raised $3,745 through the weekend in this benefit, as students had their heads shaved in honor of the children who are affected by cancer.

Kristen Shinebarger and her mother Shelly were on hand for the event. Union Athletics has a department wide fund raising initiative in place for 2012-13 to raise funds for Kristen. Now 10 years old, Kristen was dianosed with cancer two years ago and since then, had to have her right leg amputated. Funds raised are assisting the family in payments for a new prosthetic leg which will be changed regularly as she grows.

St. Baldrick's Foundation is an organization that collects donations for research funding for cures of various childhood associated cancers, and hosts events where teams compete to raise the most money and get their heads shaved if they so chose. St. Baldrick's head-shaving events began as a challenge between businessmen and have grown from one event in 2000 to over 1,300 events in 2012, raising critical funds for childhood cancer research. Events take place in pubs, restaurants, schools, churches, parks, malls, military bases, firehouses and many other locations.

Junior Josh Rose provided his thoughts on the event. "We found out about this event through our trainer, Cheryl Rockwood. Last year, we had a few players attend but we had a larger turnout this year and thus, raised more funds. It was fun to be a part of an event with a large community turnout, and a great turnout from our team."
 
"It is a shame that anyone would be affiliated with a terrible disease such as cancer, especially a child," said junior Marc Anthony Parrino. "We were all happy to be part of a charity event in which money was raised to fight childhood cancer. It bothered me to see Kristen Shinebarger on crutches, but it made me happy to see her smile at our presence at the event. It is the least we can do and we were proud to participate in St. Baldricks' effort to raise money to combat childhood cancer."
 
"We had a blast and it was great seeing everyone so excited about supporting the cause, " said sophomore Alex Papalian.
 
"It was a really rewarding experience, knowing that you made a difference for a just cause," commented junior Jake Lebowitz. "What made it more rewarding was doing it with your teammates for a member of the Union family." 
  
"Spending just a few hours with these amazing kids can give you a lifetime of inner strength and joy," concluded junior Dylan Schuck.