August Ruckdeschel Shaves Off His Dreadlocks for Childhood Cancer Charity

LONG ISLAND, N.Y., March 12, 2018 (Newswire.com) - ​Dreadlocked August Ruckdeschel has sacrificed his hair for the second time in support of the California-based St. Baldrick's Foundation.

After previously shaving his head two years ago for the charity, Ruckdeschel returned to the barber's chair to give up his much-loved new dreadlocks.

The charity is famous for its head-shaving events, with even its name — an amalgamation of the words "St Patrick's" and "bald" — a nod to the process of fundraisers giving up their hair in return for sponsorship in the shape of donations.

"St. Patrick's" meanwhile refers to the day their first head-shaving event took place, which was St. Patrick's Day almost two decades ago.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, established in 1999, exists to raise funds in an effort to help find cures for childhood cancer.

Two years ago, Ruckdeschel successfully raised $2,500 for the foundation by shaving his head. This time around, the New York native set a target of $3,000.

Before the big event, August Ruckdeschel commented, "As a society, we know we can be doing a much better job of fighting leukemia and childhood cancer and disease, so enough is enough!"

Having tragically lost his younger brother to childhood cancer, Ruckdeschel knows only too well the devastation caused by the disease.

"I don't think I need to remind anyone what the loss of my youngest brother, Ryan, has done to my family," he added. "Childhood diseases are just traumatizing to the families affected."

With sights set firmly on his $3,000 target, Ruckdeschel rallied support from friends, family, colleagues and strangers alike in an effort to smash his new goal.

Incredibly, not only did he meet his target, but he more than doubled it, successfully raising a total of $6,700.

Dreadlocks freshly lopped off, and upon news of the grand total raised, Ruckdeschel excitedly declared, "I'm delighted!" before going on to thank those who had sponsored him for their kindness and generosity.

In the past year alone, another 14,000 people have also shaved their heads in support of St. Baldrick's, helping to raise a combined total of more than $12 million for the foundation.

What's more, since 2006, fundraising for the charity by individuals such as Ruckdeschel has brought in over $200 million worth of donations.

These donations go directly to supporting vital research into pediatric cancers.

Having now completed two charity head shavings for St. Baldrick's, Ruckdeschel joins the foundation's "Squires of Hope" - a rank afforded to those who have given at least three years of fundraising service to the charity. Further ranks include "Commanders of Hope," Crusaders of Hope," and "Knights of Hope."

Of awarding him his new title, the foundation remarked, "Be it known to all that August Ruckdeschel has dedicated at least three years of service to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, helping kids with cancer throughout all the land."

To find out more about the St. Baldrick's Foundation, or to make a donation, visit https://www.stbaldricks.org.

Media Contact:
​Eric Blankenship
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Source: Web Presence, LLC