Instructor to go bald for kids cancer

By Rachel Kramer

 

Chrissy Bloome, MHCC health education counselor and coordinator, will be participating in a St. Baldrick’s Day event by shaving her head.

St. Baldrick’s Day will take place Sunday, April 9, in Portland at Baracuda’s, 9 NW 2nd St., at 1 p.m.

“I read an article in Portland Parent Magazine about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation,” Bloome said. “I always wanted to shave my head.”

St. Baldrick’s Day is an event put together by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. These events happen throughout the year all over the world.

According to their website, they strives to “raise awareness and funds to conquer kids’ cancer by shaving heads on St. Baldrick’s Day.”

Between 2000 and 2005, this non-profit organization raised more than $12 million for cancer research.

At the time of print, for the year 2006, St. Baldrick’s has raised more than $5 million.
Bloome feels a connection to the cause, since she spent 20 years as a nurse.
“I have taken care of a lot of kids,” Bloome said. “Cancer kills more kids than any other illness or disease.”

Bloome is looking for donations to St. Baldrick’s in support of her participation. “I have been so impressed by how generous people have been,” she said. “Any amount is fabulous.”

You can donate three ways. First, one can donate by going to www.stbaldricks.org, selecting “Make A Donation,” entering Bloome’s first or last name and getting to Bloome’s “Shavee Donation Page.”

One can also get a donation form and Bloome will submit the donation directly or one can mail it in.

Thirdly, one can call 1-800-889-BALD.

According to Bloome, she will be doing something goofy with her hair on Saturday. “I might dye it purple,” she said.

“It is only hair,” she said, “I have no attachment to it. It will grow back. I am only hoping that there is a zipper back there [on my head] to add some more brains.”