On Tuesday, the celebration and fundraising event that is St. Baldrick’s returned to Iona. Each year, Iona proudly participates in the constant battle against childhood cancer by hosting its annual St. Baldrick’s event, the head-shaving phenomenon that many of Iona’s students have chosen to take part in in the past. This year was no different.

Among the notable participants at this year’s fundraiser was RA and Honors science senior Garner Soltes. Soltes, following in the footsteps of those who came before him, including the likes of senior Rachel Nachtrieb, was inspired by last year’s event and dedicated the better part of his senior year to growing a mop top of sorts so he could participate in the event.

The Ionian had the opportunity to sit down with Soltes, and discuss some of his inspirations, his St. Baldrick’s ambitions, some of his worries about heading in to the event and in general the good nature of the event.

 

St. Baldrick’s is an event that takes a committed person to do. What was it that inspired you to take part in the annual event?

I saw the event last year and became kind of inspired. I thought that being that I was dedicating my life to scientific research, and knowing how important funding is to research, I figured that every penny that I could help raise myself would be for the best. I think that kids should simply never have to grow up with cancer. Cancer’s something that’s supposed to take hold late into life, when your cells have taken a lifetime’s worth of damage and mutations. Cancer’s not supposed to take a three-year-old from his family. That’s why I found this especially inspiring. Plus, I figured it’s so easy. I just grow my hair for a year, and we give money to help cure kids’ cancer. There’s honestly nothing better than that.

 

How much money have you raised in support of St. Baldrick’s?

In fundraising, I have received over $1,300, which will all be donated to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. I was fairly happy with the amount, as it helped me reach and surpass my goal of ultimately raising $1,000.

 

Did you have any fears or reservations going in to the shave?

This sounds kind of funny, but the only thing that I really had to fear was that my long hair and mop has been hiding a receding hairline. Thankfully, we came to find that it was not.

 

Were there other factors that influenced you to take part in the event?

I won’t lie – I had family who had cancer, and so that’s kind of a big factor. I’ve seen the damage that the disease can do first hand. Also, I’d have to say that my mentor, Dr. Muller, doing it last year inspired me.

 

Is there anything else you’d like to say to the Iona community?

I think that St. Baldrick’s is a truly great event, and that it says a lot about Iona that it takes the time to participate in it year in and year out, and that Iona students constantly are involved and at the forefront of pushing the event on campus.

On that note, I’d just like to say a hearty “thank-you” to everyone who has supported me throughout this process and congratulations to everyone who went bald for kids’ cancer this year.