On March 22, Iona College will be having its annual St. Baldrick’s event. Every year Iona students and staff come together and shave their heads to stand in solidarity with children who are suffering from cancer. Prior to shaving their heads, these students and staff members raise money that is donated to childhood cancer research.

In the past, three girls have come forward and shaved their heads to show their support. This year Kara Nowakowski is stepping up and shaving her head as well. At last check, she had already raised over $2,600 for the event.

Kirsten Knott, president of Iona’s St. Baldrick’s Committee, said Nowakowski raised $1,000 within the first 12 hours of launching her participant Web site through St. Baldrick’s.

When asked why she decided to shave her head, Nowakowski said she first became aware of St. Baldrick’s two years ago when then-junior Rachel Nachtrieb shaved her head.

“Immediately after I watched her do it, I wanted to do it,” she said. It took a year for her to convince her family that this was not some whim since she claims she is prone to doing crazy things.

Once convincing her family of the good cause, they have backed her all the way. It is due to their support and help getting the word out that Nowakowski has raised so much money in less than two weeks.

Her father has even gotten involved with the event. While he will be in Chicago at the time of the event, he will also be shaving his head.

Recently, student Sean Liscoe and a Team of Pi Kappa Phi members have also joined in on the cause.

A huge supporter of St. Baldrick’s at Iona is Assistant Director of Admission Brian Johnson. While he has not signed up online yet, he plans on shaving his head this year as well, in addition to every year in the foreseeable future.

Johnson said, “It’s a very small sacrifice compared to what the people you’re helping go through and yet it means a lot to show solidarity with children battling the disease and help support their fight financially.”

This is Iona’s fifth year hosting the St. Baldrick’s event. For this anniversary, the Gaelic Society, Pipe Band, Pi Kappa Phi, Delta Theta Beta and the Rugby team are sponsoring the event. Their goal has been set at $9,000, but the Committee wants to surpass this goal.

They are also reaching out to the New Rochelle community, including the Police and Fire Departments and other colleges in the area.

When asked what she plans to do after shaving her head, Nowakowski said she is going to go bald for a while. Her shed hair will be donated to locks of love. The event is happening on March 22 in Mulcahy Gym from 7-10 p.m. Fifteen people are volunteering to help with the event, but they are still looking for more shavees. For more information, contact [email protected].