In the 1950s, almost all kids diagnosed with cancer died, but not in 2014.

You have been growing it out all year, now it is time to shave it all off.

The sixth annual St. Baldrick’s event at ETHS will be on March 17 in the main lobby during the lunch periods.

“It’s a great event to show support and overall solidarity,” said Mary Collins, Community Service coordinator. “My goal is to help raise awareness and help students to open their minds to issues in the world they can have a positive impact on; pediatric cancer is a good start.”

Head shaving is not limited to ETHS. The St. Baldrick’s foundation is a national foundation, helping people all over the country with organizing these head shaving events.

“Cancer can be so isolating and people may feel like they are alone,” said Collins. “But they are never alone. If they see that this event is so public and has a lot of support, then that’s what it’s really about.”

According to Collins, St. Baldrick’s more about awareness than anything else.

“Students pledge to have their heads shaved on March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day.  They can also get an envelope to collect money from people who want to support kids with cancer,” said Collins.

The money made from donations usually stretches into the thousands.

“Though this is only my second year helping with the event, March 17 is always one of my favorite days of the year,” stated Andrea Glaser, sophomore and St. Baldrick’s event co-planner. “I wanted to do this because one of my family friends has cancer, so I thought this would be a good way to show my support for her.”

Sophomore Mitchell Estberg, junior Fidak Khan, Glaser and Collins, make up the planning team for St. Baldrick’s at ETHS, where every week they get together to discuss the details of the event.

“One reason why we started Saint Baldrick’s at ETHS was because we usually only draw a lot of females to our service events, and I wanted to have a greater variety of events that appealed to a greater variety of students,” stated Collins. “We still want girls to participate too though. That’s is why we also have Locks For Love.”

Instead of shaving heads, Locks for Love will be another option where individuals can cut off 10 to 12 inches.

“We thought that associating Locks for Love with the St. Baldrick’s would be a great way to get girls involved,” stated Glaser.

“Another big goal of ours is to gradually surpass, each year, the number of people participating,” explained Collins.

In years past, about 50 people each year have participated in the head shaving, men and women alike.

“Raising awareness is one of the most powerful thing teenagers can do,” stated Collins. “We have over 3000 kids at ETHS; if 1000 kids get behind anything, that’s pretty powerful. That’s what raising awareness is about, helping people be overall better people.”

“My job is to work with the Saint Baldrick’s foundation and work with the students to take on a lot of the responsibility,” said Collins.

The main goals, according to Collins, are to really raise money and awareness. Through this event, she knows both are very attainable.