The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Women in STEM will continue to support St. Baldrick’s Foundation by hosting a head-shaving event on campus this spring.

In the United States, more children die from cancer compared to any other disease and, worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a non-profit organization that aspires to raise money for childhood cancer by organizing events where people shave their heads and donate money for the cure.

These head shaving events happen at least 100 times a year with people also hosting fundraisers on their own for the foundation.

UW-Platteville’s WiSTEM Living and Learning Center involves a group of women majoring in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) who also live together in a residence hall on campus.

The women involved are interested in building strong relationships with each other, as well as professors within their field of study.

The university has two living and learning centers: one center for freshmen and another for sophomores and transfer students.

Overall, this program can help with students’ experiences at the university, such as transitioning into college life, meeting new people, networking with people in the same field and making life-long friends.

Head Treasurer of WiSTEM Neal Kluck explained the process of partnering with St. Baldrick’s for the event as a very simple one.

“I got really irritated with my hair after it became damaged from color, so I told my friend Ashley [that if we really wanted to cut our hair short], we could do it together,” fine arts and general engineering double-major Kluck said. “She came up with the idea to join St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event. Ashley then contacted them and we figured out how we could host the next event.”

The goal is to reach $8,000 by May 4, however, donations will still be accepted for two weeks after the date.

Eighty-two percent of the money raised will be used for research to find a cure, 16 percent will go towards St. Baldrick’s for fundraising and two percent will provide for staff compensation.

The event is set to take place on May 4 at Bo Ryan Court in the Pioneer Activity Center from 12-6 p.m.

“The head-shaving process is for awareness of childhood cancer and raising money for the cure,” event organizer and sustainable and renewable energy systems major Ashley Wojtalewicz said.

All individuals can get their head shaved during the event, including children, but all children must come with a parent or guardian.

In order to participate in the event, individuals can register online at the St. Baldrick’s website before or during the time of the event.

“It’s important to me because St. Baldrick’s does a great job to raise money for research [that funds] for children with cancer and their families,” engineering physics and French double-major and previous donator Annelise RotiRoti said. “If there’s something I can do to help kids lead a happier life, then I will do something.”

Aside from head shaving, there will be a raffle with donated items from local businesses, a pizza eating contest and multiple hats for sale.

Pizza Hut, Dunkin’ Donuts, Heiser Hardware, Erschen’s Florist, Katie’s Gifts, Papa Murphy’s and KFC/Taco Bell are a few businesses that have supplied donations for the upcoming event.

To donate, host an event or become a “shavee,” visit the website www.stbaldricks.org.