DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment is hosting its second annual “Shave for the Cure” event in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The event will take place March 11 at the Student Center Atrium at DePaul from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation specializes in charity funding for childhood cancer research. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, it has awarded more than $103 million to support the best pediatric oncology research, making St. Baldrick’s the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.

Kelsey Schwartz, the national special events coordinator for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, said more than 125 Universities participated in foundation events in 2012, with more than 4,400 shaved student heads, and raised $1 million dollars towards childhood cancer research.

Schwartz said the foundation has a large Chicago-area presence and tries to reach different universities and get different colleges involved. “Students are such a big part of our fundraising efforts,” said Schwartz. “These fundraising events provide students with knowledge about the importance of giving back to charities and people in need. It teaches you to pay more attention to what is going on in the healthcare field and the government’s role,’ said Schwartz.

Natalia Hernandez, a senior at DePaul and member of the Alliance for Latino Empowerment, will be in charge of the event again this year. The event will have barbers, games and activities such as kickboxing and a beanbag toss, and a raffle for participants to win prizes. “This is such a positive experience to enjoy, even if you donate a dollar, it makes a difference, and everything we raise goes into the St. Baldrick’s foundation,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez, along with many other volunteers, shaved her head last year. “I was able to donate 20 inches of hair. I had each of my friends shave off a piece. It was such a positive experience that I had done something bigger than myself to help someone,” said Hernandez. Participants will get up on stage and shave their heads in solidarity with children with cancer with many others cheering them on. There are so many beautiful people at DePaul and in the world that are ready to be selfless,” said Hernandez. “It is amazing to see them all come together.”