P.A.L.S. and St Baldrick's help fund children's cancer research

THURSDAY, JULY 12: P.A.L.S. is well known for its professional care of, and assistance to, Bermuda’s cancer patients. This is its primary mission, and the organisation is scrupulous in ensuring that all donations received for patient care are directed to that end.

Perhaps less well known is the fact that for the last ten years P.A.L.S. has partnered with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation (“SBF”), founded in 2000, which sponsors head-shaving events around the world and is committed to funding research to find cures for childhood cancers. Supporters of shavees donate on the understanding that their contributions go towards such research.

Donors in Bermuda either pay direct to SBF in California or to P.A.L.S. Children’s Care Fund whose primary purpose is to provide care and support for young cancer patients in Bermuda, and some money from SBF head shaving events is indeed utilised for that purpose. Fortunately, however, there are few such patients and the great majority of SBF funds received are made available for research, in line with SBF’s own mission.

Kate Daly, SBF events Bermuda Chair, stated, “This year’s head-shaving events in Bermuda have raised the amazing total of $372,571 of which the majority was donated online to the SBF, headquartered in California. Of the total donations however, $82,311 (22%) were made locally to P.A.L.S. Children’s Care Fund. We’re very thankful to all of the participants, those who so generously donated to this event, and to our volunteers.”

In that regard Ann Smith Gordon, President and CEO of P.A.L.S., stated, “We are delighted to announce that the Board of Directors of P.A.L.S. has committed to fund from its Children’s Care Fund two additional paediatric cancer research studies by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston totalling nearly $380,000, payable over the next three years. Because of the Bermuda medical community’s strong relationship with Dana-Farber, it is the Board’s policy that grants of these funds should be awarded to research physicians at that Institute.”

Treasurer of P.A.L.S., John Hill noted, “As a result of these ‘head shaving’ funds, to date P.A.L.S. has been able to grant from its Children’s Care Fund a total of $1,383,736 in paediatric cancer research awards to physicians associated with Dana-Farber. Every one of the research projects has first been scientifically reviewed and approved by SBF’s medical panels.”

“The local SBF committee has done a wonderful job organising the main Bermuda event, which keeps outgrowing its venue,” Mr. Hill added. “It began at the Robin Hood, moved to the BAA Clubhouse and is now held at the BAA Gym in March each year on the Friday nearest St. Patrick’s Day. There is also a private event at Saltus where students shave their heads for this great cause.”

This year’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute research grants from P.A.L.S. Children’s Care Fund have been awarded to: