Above bottom – Joe Stubitz and Mark Eagleson join in a spirited embrace at the St. Baldricks haircutting/fund raising event. Photos courtesy of Joe Stubitz

“I recently decided to participate in a fundraising event for children’s cancer research,” said Electrical Engineer Joe Stubitz. “I was inspired by Brian Dirk and his participation in the event last year. “I had been growing my hair for 2½ years and my beard for six months. I decided to finally shave it all off for a good cause.”

Stubitz of the Engineering Services Office was talking about his Regional co-worker who works in the Information Technology Group of the Management Services Office, and his participation in the St. Baldrick’s campaign in support of childhood cancer victims.

“Worldwide, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year,” according to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “And in the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease – more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined. Two-thirds of children treated for childhood cancer will suffer long-term effects from treatment including loss of hearing and sight, heart disease, secondary cancers, learning disabilities, infertility and more. Childhood cancer isn't just one disease – there are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and countless subtypes, each requiring specific research to develop the best treatment for every child. But in the last 20 years, only two new drugs have been specifically developed to treat children with cancer. Less than 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is directed to childhood cancer research.”

“Almost everyone I know has had someone close to them battle with cancer,” said Stubitz. “For me it was my mother, who chose not to wear a wig during chemo treatment because ‘. . . it didn’t feel good.’ But the children are grossly underrepresented financially. Hearing the personal stories of families coming together around their children who bravely live their lives to the very end inspired me to participate in the event.”

“I was able to meet my goal and raise over $1,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation,” he added. “I participated in the event at McMullan’s Irish Pub, which has raised $362,031.60 to date. At the event, I joined up with Mark Eagleson, who works at Hoover Dam, on the Stephanie’s Crusaders team. Mark was mentioned in the Las Vegas Review Journal, ‘Mark Eagleson, for instance, had his own medical struggle and was inspired by the chance to help children.’ ‘I said that if I made it through, I’d shave my head,’ Eagleson said. (www.reviewjournal.com article).’”

“I couldn’t help but marvel at the courage of all of the shave participants, especially the women!” Stubitz said. “I decided to join Stephanie’s Crusaders with Mark Eagleson because our friends Debbie and Allen Austin lost their daughter Stephanie to cancer last November. This past November would have been her seventeenth birthday. Friends and family rallied behind the Austins to show their support in honor of Stephanie. The experience was unforgettable and I encourage everyone to check it out next year. Special thanks to all of those who contributed financially to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. You are giving children and their families hope.”

For more information about the St. Baldricks Foundation, visit www.stbaldricks.org/why-we-exist.

Reclamation donors included Dave Palumbo, Scott Tincher, Terri Saumier, Scott Foster, Robert Owen, Laken Anderson, Nathaniel Gee, Kevin Margetts, Cindy Myers, Kyle Cavalier, and Mark Slaughter.

Left Top – Joe Stubitz takes the “plunge,” joins in the spirit, and volunteers to have this hair cut and his beard shaved. Photo courtesy of Joe Stubitz

Left Bottom -- Joe Stubitz on the job sporting his new St. Baldrick’s look. LCR photo by Alex Stephens