In an effort to support community organizations close to the heart of MAKE, we are highlighting causes with which we are passionate. Please follow us as we introduce you to these causes and ways to get involved.
About St. Baldrick’s Foundation:
St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a charity that raises money for research efforts to fight childhood cancer. There are events around the country annually where participants shave their head in display of solidarity for children fighting cancer. Before the day of the event, participants raise money for St. Baldrick’s.
Luke Hofmann’s Mission:
Friend of MAKE, Luke Hofmann, recently participated in one of the largest events for his third year. Almost 650 people shaved their heads for St. Baldrick’s. MAKE was proud to help Luke become the top fundraiser out of these 650 people, personally raising $15,244.95! Part of that included a fundraising event where he rented a local outdoor ice rink and held a silent auction, bonfire, and served hot chocolate. He attracted about 150 people this year and raised over $4,000. Total, the event raised $559,716.67.
Luke is a pediatric oncology nurse at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. He has made close friends through the children he has taken care of and their families. He has seen many children go through treatment successfully. He has also taken care of children who have not survived. He keeps those memories with him and uses it as motivation to fight childhood cancer alongside St. Baldrick’s. In an excerpt from Luke’s fundraising page, he explains why he chose to support St. Baldrick’s:
“Every day, I have the privilege to work with the most amazing kids all day long. They are incredibly tough and brave to an extent that is difficult to describe. It’s truly an honor being able to be part of their lives and to be a small part in their fight against cancer. These kids and their families are a source of daily inspiration for me. So I figured in addition to doing my part at work, why not support a cause that is dedicated to ridding this world of cancer for them…the Saint Baldrick’s Foundation.”
On the day of the event, Brandon (a leukemia survivor who was one of Luke’s first patients) was Luke’s personal barber.
“While he is only 10, we have a lot in common. His mom calls us “brothers from other mothers”. I will continue to participate in St. Baldrick’s year after year because I love the cause and it is a lot of fun. I will have Brandon as my barber until he decides he doesn’t want to anymore. I’m very proud of him and I love having him and his family as my partners in raising money for St. Baldrick’s.” – Recap from Luke after 2014 St. Baldrick’s event
Ways to get involved:
A specific need for St. Baldrick’s is funding better, more targeted drugs to attach to cancer cells. The drugs used now attack everything, including the healthy cells and organs of the children. To a child whose body is still developing, treatment often carries a huge consequence for the rest of their lives. St. Baldrick’s is leading the way to help find a better solution.
You can support Luke’s mission by searching “Luke Hofmann” at: http://www.stbaldricks.org or by using this direct link: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/657043/2014. You can also click here to find a St. Baldrick’s event near you.
