The St. Baldrick’s history at St. Thomas

St. Baldrick’s started at St. Thomas after Joey Chamness, a 2nd grader at the time, was diagnosed with a bone cancer called Osteosarcoma in 2005.  That year, nearly every boy in 2nd grade as well as several of their faith partners in 5th grade shaved their heads in solidarity with Joey who was bald from chemotherapy treatments.

When it was time to go to New York for surgery, Joey and his twin brother Robbie had their 1st Communion early at the school Mass to accommodate the surgery schedule.   That same day, the entire STA parish began a prayer vigil for Joey and the medical team treating him.  Thanks to good medical treatment and the prayers and support of the STA parish, the surgery was successful and Joey graduated from Cathedral High School and went onto IU.

The following year the students at St. Thomas realized they could raise money to fund research to find a cure for children’s cancer if they shaved their heads for St. Baldrick’s (www.stbaldricks.org) and in 2006, St. Thomas Aquinas School (read more of the history) had its first schoolwide St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event which included nearly 30 shavees, including students, teachers, a mother and the principal.  Since then, over $100,000 has been raised for children’s cancer research by the kids of St. Thomas Aquinas School.

The tradition remains today and we continue to raise funds for this very worthy cause.  The event is held in the school gym every March and this year St. Thomas raises over $15,000 each year with our shavees!

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.