Fairfield's Osborn Hill School To Host Annual St. Baldrick's Event

Press release from Team Teddy:

March 13, 2023

Fairfield's Team Teddy Osborn Hill School, St. Baldrick’s event, which has raised over $1.4 million for pediatric cancer research since 2010, will be back at OHS Friday, March 24, 2023.

Exactly three years ago, when COVID-19 struck just days before our 2020 event, we had no idea how Team Teddy OHS could stay strong during a pandemic. Incredibly, our dedicated and creative participants, donors, event coordinators, volunteer barbers, and sponsors kept it going as a virtual event, raising over $75,000 in both 2020 and 2021. Local businesses and families continued to donate prizes for our raffle which was carried out live online. Shavees got buzzed at home and posted the videos on social media. When our volunteer barbers were allowed to reopen, they gave free shaves to event participants. One very dedicated shavee and top fundraiser, Chris Bolash, even grew his hair out over months, then shaped it into a coronavirus with spike proteins using red and green paint and rubber bands before defiantly shaving it all off. Last year we were finally able to gather in person, albeit in a more scaled-down event, but we still ended up raising over $107,000 by the end of the year.

With $35,000 raised so far this year, this event, in its 14th year, has hit $1.4 million and continues to grow.

Team Teddy was founded in honor of Teddy Gerber, who was diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma in 2009, when he was just 8 years old. One of Teddy's most joyful times during his illness was the St. Baldrick's event at Osborn Hill School named in his honor. He was the star, overseeing the first 'shavee' of the night (his older brother John), as well as many of his friends. He passed away after bravely fighting his illness for nine months. The money raised for research goes towards grants that allow scientists to better understand pediatric cancers and how to treat them more effectively, giving children like Teddy a better chance to recover and live their lives.

Those who want to contribute without going bald can sponsor a shavee, buy treats at the bake sale, or purchase raffle tickets with the chance to win fantastic prizes. To sign up to be a shavee, make a donation, or check out our local sponsors, visit https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/108/2023

This press release was produced by Team Teddy. The views expressed here are the author's own.