ŗŚ°µ±¬ĮĻAPPās St. Baldricks Event Surpasses Goal in 15th Year
Chicago College of Medical students raise funds to battle childhood cancer

The organizers of ŗŚ°µ±¬ĮĻAPPās St. Baldrickās Shave for a Change event helped raise over $46,000 for pediatric cancer research.
ŗŚ°µ±¬ĮĻAPP students, faculty members, and community residents joined forces for the annual āSt. Baldrickās Shave for a Changeā fundraiser, now in its 15th year of supporting pediatric cancer research. This yearās event, held at Empire Burgers & Brew in Lombard on Thursday, March 13th, was a resounding success, exceeding the groupās fundraising goal of $40,000 by the end of the night.
Organized by students from Midwesternās 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

āFor the past 15 years, the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) has organized an annual St. Baldrickās Foundation fundraiser for the ŗŚ°µ±¬ĮĻAPP and local community,ā said medical student Kelly McGowen (CCOM ā27), President of CCOM SOMA and Lead Organizer for ŗŚ°µ±¬ĮĻAPP SOMA St. Baldrickās Shave for Change 2025. āIn that time, we have raised over $798,000 for pediatric cancer research and shaved 1,117 heads. Our long-standing partnership with the St. Baldrickās Foundation reflects our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and their families affected by pediatric cancer.ā
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

āEvents like St. Baldrickās allow us, as medical students, to engage with the community beyond the classroom, fostering empathy, teamwork, and the importance of patient-centered care,ā Kelly said. āBy 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.ā
The St. Baldrickās 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.
āEvery dollar raised through the St. Baldrickās 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 ŗŚ°µ±¬ĮĻAPP and local community members who attended our event,ā Kelly concluded.