Bare scalps are abundant around campus as the 2011 St. Baldrick’s event produced a record-breaking outcome this year with participants and donors coming out in droves. The event, which was co-sponsored by the Student Programming Board and QU Irish Club, featured volunteers going bald to raise awareness and funds to fight pediatric cancer.

“My most important goal here is to raise awareness and hope for the children who have cancer,” Co-Chair Morgan Farra said. “It’s not necessarily about the money that we’re raising for the organization, but the awareness that we’re raising here on campus about the cause.”

The event garnered more than $24,000, shattering the original prediction of $8,000 and last year’s total of more than $7,000. The event also had 117 participants, a major increase from last year’s 36.

When asked about the increase, Co-Chair Kristin Cagney cited social media as the key, with participants and officials creating buzz via Facebook. Reaching out to each male-dominated organization was also essential, Cagney said. Almost all of the New Blue Rugby team came out, as well as numerous members of Greek life.

“It’s different than just wearing a T-shirt. This is something that lasts however long it takes for a guy’s hair to grow back,” Cagney said. “I think it’s a physical representation that shows you physically took a stand.”

Participants were called up to the stage in groups and given haircuts by volunteer barbers. The event also turned personal, with speakers telling tales of experiences with cancer or St. Baldrick’s, and even a reading of Taylor Mali’s poem “Brave Seventh Grade Viking Warrior.”

“My younger cousin has cancer, so it really does touch home with me,” SPB President Vincent Bond said. “Being able to do it so many times and kind of give back is really beneficial. It’s something that every time I do it, I see a little more of the event, I hear someone else’s story, I see a new group of people getting inspired by it.”

Event officials expect next year’s St. Baldrick’s event to feature even more involvement, and hope to leave a mark on Quinnipiac.

“We want to leave Quinnipiac in a few years and know that when people think of St. Patrick’s Day in March, they associate it with St. Baldrick’s day,” Cagney said.

Donations are still being accepted up until the March 15 fundraising deadline.

Photo credit: Amanda Shulman and Ilya Spektor