West Des Moines Kids Cancer Fundraiser Nets Cash, Shaved Heads

(West Des Moines, IA) -- A fundraiser in West Des Moines netted tens of thousands of dollars for Blank Children's Hospital, and resulted in some shaved heads. Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa hosted the 17th Annual St. Baldrick's Head-Shaving Event July 21st, which raised $83,400 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research. Blank Children's Hospital will receive $50,000 of that total.

“Ensuring high-quality patient care for children is our mission at Blank Children’s Hospital, and with the help of funds like those raised by Farmers Mutual Hail, this enables us to meet a critical need for children here in Central Iowa and across our state that are fighting cancer,” said Steve Stephenson, MD, president and chief operating officer for Blank Children’s Hospital.

Farmers Mutual Hail made a corporate donation of $50,000 towards this year’s total funds. “The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has helped change the lives of children fighting cancer around the world and right here in Iowa,” said Shannon Rutledge, FMH president and CEO. “We’re proud to have raised over $1.47 million for this organization throughout these past 17 years, and we look forward to continuing to support the Foundation in the future.”

The event was limited to friends and family of FMH employees, and featured a raffle, carnival games, dunk tank, and of course, the signature head-shaving activity where volunteers who raised funds shaved their heads in solidarity with children fighting cancer. This year’s special guest was 4-year-old Sage Young, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia – Type B earlier this year. He is receiving treatment at Blank Children’s Hospital.

“We were honored to be a part of this event and create lifelong relationships with those involved,” said Sage’s mom, Betsey Young. “The biggest take away for us since the diagnosis is that there is a lot of good left in this world. To have so many people fighting in our corner and making an impact that will have a widespread ripple effect is truly indescribable. We are so thankful for all that FMH has done and continues to do for childhood cancer research.” Donations are still being accepted and can be made at www.fmh.com/st-baldricks or directly to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation at www.stbaldricks.org.