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������Ƶ students, faculty members, and community residents joined forces for the annual “St. Baldrick’s Shave for a Change” fundraiser, now in its 15th year of supporting pediatric cancer research. This year’s event, held at Empire Burgers & Brew in Lombard on Thursday, March 13th, was a resounding success, exceeding the group’s fundraising goal of $40,000 by the end of the night.

Organized by students from ������Ƶ’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM), the event saw 45 dedicated participants shave their heads in solidarity with children undergoing cancer treatments. Their collective efforts raised $46,113 for cancer research, with donations continuing to be accepted through December 31st at .

15 Years of Impact: Annual Tradition Spearhead by Student Medical Association

“For the past 15 years, the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) has organized an annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser for the ������Ƶ and local community,” said medical student Kelly McGowen (CCOM ’27), President of CCOM SOMA and Lead Organizer for ������Ƶ SOMA St. Baldrick’s Shave for Change 2025. “In that time, we have raised over $798,000 for pediatric cancer research and shaved 1,117 heads. Our long-standing partnership with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation reflects our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and their families affected by pediatric cancer.”  

Joining Kelly in organizing the event were several second-year CCOM students including: Vani Ganesh, Anjana Reddy, Elizabeth Boyer, Grace Maloney, and Anya Athan.

Medical Students Learn Vital Skills Through Community Engagement

“Events like St. Baldrick’s allow us, as medical students, to engage with the community beyond the classroom, fostering empathy, teamwork, and the importance of patient-centered care,” Kelly said. “By connecting with individuals affected by childhood cancer and supporting vital research, we reinforce our commitment to both the science and humanity of healthcare, helping us become not only better physicians but also advocates for those facing hardships and battles.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long, healthy lives. The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 1900 and is dedicated to preparing future physicians to serve with both skill and compassion.

“Every dollar raised through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation goes directly toward funding life-saving research, and we are honored to be part of such a powerful community of donors, volunteers, and advocates. We are incredibly grateful to all the faculty, staff, and students at ������Ƶ and local community members who attended our event,” Kelly concluded.