I had always known about St. Baldrick’s through my work in pediatric nursing—it was something that was just part of the world I was in. But it wasn’t until I became the advisor for our nursing club that it became something more.
I wanted our club to get more involved in the community. That was really the starting point.
After attending an orientation call in January 2024 with other colleges across the country, I came back feeling inspired. I thought—why not us? Why not host our very first St. Baldrick’s event?
So I pushed for it.
That first event ended up raising more than $15,000 – our goal was $5,000 – for childhood cancer research, which was incredible. But what meant even more to me was the energy in the room. It brought so much happiness and joy to our students and community members that I knew right away—we had to keep this going.
And we have.
Each year, we set bigger goals and continue to grow. But from the very beginning, I knew I wanted to make sure the kids and their families were at the center of everything we did.
They are the heartbeat of this mission. They are the reason behind why we do what we do.
I made it a priority to incorporate local families into our events—inviting them to come, share their stories, and be part of the day. We also create poster boards honoring children in our community, and we recognize Dr. Pearce, a local retired pediatric oncologist who has treated so many of our kids. It’s important to me that their stories and impact are seen and felt.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
There have been so many memorable moments over the years, but one stands out above the rest.
Last year, our honored child was Kailey—the sister of one of our former nursing students who had just graduated.
Kailey is a cancer survivor, and she spoke at our event. She shared her journey and her gratitude for St. Baldrick’s, and the entire room was completely captivated.
Then, at the end of her speech, she removed her wig.
She had experienced treatment-induced alopecia, and in that moment, she showed such courage and vulnerability. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It was powerful, emotional, and incredibly inspiring.
There’s no greater feeling than witnessing firsthand the impact of where our donations go—and what it means for these kids and their families.
Finding Connection Through This Community
One of the things I love most about being involved with St. Baldrick’s is the sense of connection.
From working with my St. Baldrick’s event coach, Stephanie—who made our first event feel so seamless despite the short timeline—to seeing other events and fundraisers highlighted across the country, it really feels like we’re all part of something bigger.
It reminds me that we are all one, no matter how big or small the contributions are.
That same mindset carries into how I talk about our event within the community.
I always make sure people know: you don’t have to shave your head to support the mission.
We’ve created a carnival-themed fundraiser that’s free and open to the public, so anyone can come and be part of it. There’s no pressure—just showing up and being present is a way to support these kids and families.
Why You Should Take the Leap
If someone is thinking about hosting their own event but isn’t sure if they should take that step, my advice is simple:
Take the leap.
You’ll only have regrets if you don’t do it. Zero regrets for doing it! There’s only gain, and once it’s all done, you can’t wait until the next!
Our second annual event raised over $21,000, and it was amazing to see how much it had grown in just one year. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation even featured our event nationally, which was such an honor.
I also had the opportunity to promote our fundraiser on two television news segments, including a live appearance at 4:45 a.m.—right before heading in to teach clinical at 6:30 a.m. It was a long day, but completely worth it.
Because at the end of the day, every effort we make contributes to something bigger—lifesaving research and stronger community connections.
What started as a simple idea for a nursing club has become something so much more. And it all began with taking that first step.
