Local Hockey Players to Lose Their Locks for Cancer Research

Good Morning Tom!

This is a great story about Houston-area hockey players going the extra mile to help children with cancer. I think what is most unique about this story is the fact that you don’t hear enough about kids, especially teammates, rallying together for such a good cause. These players are all 12-year-olds and hair is pretty important to them now (finally!), which makes it all the more impressive.

Should you have any questions or would like to interview any of the players, please contact me and I would be more than happy to set that up for you. I will be the event as well.

Thanks so much for your consideration.

Stephanie Knific
stickgirl66@sbcglobal.net

February 20, 2015 Media Contact:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stephanie Knific

Houston Wild Hockey Club

281.744.4096

stickgirl66@sbcglobal.net

HOUSTON (February 20, 2015) – Several members of the Houston Wild Hockey Club will once again shave their heads on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at a Houston-area St. Baldrick’s event with the hopes of raising $15,000 in donations for childhood cancer research. This is the third year in a row that Houston Wild hockey players have lost their locks to help children afflicted with cancer.

The fundraiser will be held at Bunker Hill Elementary School, 11950 Taylorcrest, Houston, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Although the highlight of the evening is the head shaving, this family-friendly event also includes a face painter, baloon art, music, refreshments and a professional photographer to document the dramatic before and after shots.

Houston residents Christyn and Scott Whitney have organized the event for the past three years. The Whitneys are parents of two Houston Wild hockey players and prior to moving to Houston, they were involved as parents of shavees for five years in Fairfield, CT.

Christyn Whitney said, “While shaving their heads is a sign that these boys stand in solidarity with children who typically lose their hair during treatment, it is also a physical reminder of what good they’ve done and often starts a conversation about St. Baldrick’s.”

To date, 37 kids and adults have signed up to shave their heads according to Whitney. In addition to the Houston WILD players, members of the Memorial High School rugby team and the Memorial Knights youth lacrosse program are also participating. Area hairdressers from Visible Changes in Memorial City Mall have donated their services and will buzz the participants.

The Houston WILD hockey players participating in this year’s fundraiser are Louis Gimbert, PWAA player from College Station; Christian Knific, PWAA player from The Woodlands; Kyle Portlock, PWAA player from Conroe; Jack Whitney, Bantam Minor player from Houston; and Mason Whitney, PWAA player from Houston. Mason Whitney, age 12, will also be sworn in to the honorable “Knights of the Bald Table” for his seven years of service to St. Baldrick’s.

Each player registered online, set up their own website and solicited pledges from friends and family.

Whitney added, “ I love that these head-shaving events allow kids of any age to get involved and teaches them that even the youngest of kids can make a difference.”

Last year, 44 kids and adults, including nine Houston Wild players, united to shave their heads and raised $21,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and pediatric cancer research.

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events began as a challenge between businessmen and has grown into the world’s largest volunteer-driven and donor-centered fundraising program for childhood cancer research. According to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in addition to finding cures, research is also focused on preventing the lifelong damage that results from surgeries, radiation and chemotherapies given while young bodies and brains are just developing. St. Baldrick’s also funds research to improve supportive care for patients.

If you would like to participate, please contact Whitney at 203.673.9222 or email her at christyn.whitney@yahoo.com or visit stbaldricks.org to make a tax-deductible donation.

The Houston Wild Hockey Club is a 501(c) non-profit organization, formed more than 10 years ago under the Houston Junior Aeros Hockey Association, Inc. (HJAHA), to develop and promote youth ice hockey in the Houston area. The Houston Wild is a Charter Member of the Dallas Stars Travel Hockey League, created in 2012. For the inaugural 2013-14 season with the DSTHL, the Houston Wild rostered over 100 players on seven teams in five different age divisions (’04 Squirt through ’95 18U).

For more information, please visit www.houstonwildhockey.com.

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About St. Baldrick’s

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.