(April 24, 2018) — The UTSA community will come together this week to take a stand against childhood cancer. The UTSA Honors College is hosting its second annual St. Baldrick’s Day at UTSA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 27 on the Student Union Lawn on the UTSA Main Campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Students organized the first St. Baldrick’s Day at UTSA one year ago. More than 60 men and women shaved their heads and raised more than $10,000 for pediatric cancer research.
Tyler Werland, Honors College senior majoring in business management, worked with students and faculty of the Honors College to coordinate this year’s St. Baldrick’s Day at UTSA as part of his internship with the Honors College.
“A big focus of mine is to address the overall engagement of the event and to increase our efforts in raising awareness for childhood cancer,” Werland said. “The students and I have been exploring ways to give the event a more all-around inclusive feel to compliment the head-shaving and fundraising. I have hopes that everyone who attends, head shaved or not, can feel they have made positive contributions to the cause.”
New this year, the event will feature a photo station, interactive games and live music from local band St. Dukes and singer and songwriter 34K, also known as Karrington Donald, UTSA student and member of the UTSA Women’s Basketball team.
People have already signed up to brave a shave, including UTSA marketing and sports, event and tourism management senior Colton Barton.
“My mother was recently diagnosed with cancer and after learning about St. Baldrick’s Day, I knew this was something I wanted to get involved with,” Barton said. “It’s hard having a parent battle cancer, but I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to have your own child face that battle. I am shaving my head as an act of solidarity for all those affected and to bring awareness to this worthy cause.”
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-powered charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors healthy lives.
The UTSA Honors College recruits and enriches the educational opportunities of academically talented, motivated, and diverse students through an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes opportunities for research, service and leadership.
