Drexel Fraternity Brothers to Shave Heads

Drexel University’s Sigma Phi Epsilon will host its biggest annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraising and head shaving event this year in the hopes of raising $55,000, more than any past event held by the fraternity, for children’s cancer research.

This year’s 8th annual event, held April 18 at the Drexel Armory (33rd and Cuthbert Streets), will raise funds for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research for children’s cancers cures. Every year, the Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers collect donations and hold a celebratory event encouraging visitors to donate and shave their heads in solidarity with child cancer patients.

In addition to the head shaving, this year’s event will feature music, carnival inspired inflatables, a raffle and a small business and organization fair in association with Drexel University’s Entrepreneurship Residential Living and Learning Community. Local retailers and organizations have pledged support and donations to the event. All proceeds raised before, during and after the event will be donated to St. Baldrick’s Foundation and children’s cancer research.

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s recurring head-shaving event has grown in attendees and raised funding since the fraternity first became involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in 2007. After first participating in the head-shaving event as a team and raising about $13,000, the fraternity has since hosted the event on its own to continually increase financial and community success.

Last year’s event, which was the largest held by the fraternity and by any other St.Baldricks fundraiser not hosted by a corporation, brought in over $51,000 and shaved 118 heads. Over the years, Sigma Phi Epsilon has collectively raised $212,000 for childhood cancer research.

Sigma Phi Epsilon has been an active member of Drexel University’s Greek Life community since it first appeared on campus in 2002. The fraternity is continually recognized as one of the top fraternity chapters on campus because of its members’ commitment to academic excellence and community partnerships.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds research and spreads awareness about childhood cancer and research for cures. The organization has held head-shaving events in all 50 US states and 28 countries where volunteers, who are sponsored by family, friends and employers, raise funds and shave their heads for childhood cancer. Over 190,500 heads have been shaved and over $118 million has been raised at about 4,200 St. Baldrick's head-shaving events since 2000.

The head-shaving event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information about the event, contact Eric Juran of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at eric.juran@gmail.com