Participants in a St. Baldrick's event shave their heads in exchange for donations towards research.  Efforts fund research& bald heads are a display of solidarity with kids who have cancer.  Since its founding in 2000, the St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised over $69 million by shaving over 107,000 heads in 24 countries.  St. Baldrick's funds more childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. Government.

Last Saturday, March 6th TeamBrent held its annual flagship St Baldrick's celebration at Arena at Harbor Yard. Over 500 men, women and children helped raise over $500,000 in exchange for shaving their heads. It was the third straight year that the Sound Tigers, St. Baldrick's Foundation and TeamBrent teamed up to raise awareness and funds to help fight pediatric cancer.

This has become an annual event that our team looks forward to each season, Sound Tigers President, Howard Saffan said. The efforts of TeamBrent, the St. Baldrick's Foundation and Newtown Saving Bank are immeasurable and the Sound Tigers are proud to partner with their efforts towards raising money for pediatric cancer to find a cure.

ESPN SportsCenter host Chris McKendry kicked off the Opening Ceremonies. Newtown Savings Bank President John Trentacosta shared how happy his group was to help sponsor the event; St Baldrick’s Foundation cofounder and board member John Bender spoke about the need for more research, and TeamBrents cofounder Mike McCreesh closed the ceremonies by reminiscing about the events growth and all the people that made it happen along with what a difference the community is making.

When the ceremonies were over, the celebration really kicked in! The Total Look Salons and Academy shaved 531 heads while the band Vertigo rocked the house. All the while, hundreds of families enjoyed nonstop fun. Kids were entertained by Mickey Kydes Soccer, United Athletic Centers, the Little Gym of Fairfield, Educational Warehouse and We Sell Hoops while hundreds more skated on the Sound Tigers ice. Once Upon a Face Paint, Face Painting by Wells, and Tattoos R Us transformed both faces and bald heads into works of art. The members of The Galactic Empire from Star Wars kept the entire crowd entertained, thanks to a strong presence by the 501st Legion CTG.

Although the event ended at five the fun didn’t stop. All shavees received a free ticket that nights Sound Tigers game, where they were brought onto the ice and honored, while propelling the Sound Tigers to a strong victory over Providence!  

Although the childhood cancer cure rate is now nearing 80%, it really hasn’t moved much in last decade or two, and it is still not 100%. Of the 2,000+ people that attended the event on Saturday, at least three were childhood cancer survivors. And that is a beautiful thing decades ago they wouldn’t have had a chance, but thanks to people who were born long before we were, those three people were able to share the day as Living Proof that our community efforts make a difference. Now we must move that survival percentage from 80 to 100%. No child should ever die of cancer.   We are excited that the science is there to make things better for our children in the future, the problem is that the money isn’t and on Saturday the community came together to help change that.

To learn more about TeamBrent and upcoming events, or to see pictures from the event, go to www.TeamBrent.com

Brian Keegan - Creative Director, Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Top Affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders

Tel: 203.334.GOAL Ext. 304   Fax: 203.335.1719   keegan@soundtigers.com