A team of 7 coaches and students representing the Easton Littleton academy participated in the annual St. Baldrick’s challenge to raise money for childhood cancer research.
The St. Baldrick’s challenge was founded in 2000. Every year in the spring, participating teams or individuals raise donations from friends, family, and colleagues. At the end of the challenge, the participants shave their heads in a public ceremony.
Team Easton Littleton was led by Professor Peter Straub, who has participated in the challenge for 11 consecutive years. Leland, a member of our jiu-jitsu Tigers program, returned for his 5th year participating in the challenge. The other members of the team were Leo, Marc, Becky, Michael, and August, all of whom participated in their first challenge this year.
Peter began participating in the St. Baldrick’s challenge while in college. Cancer research is an issue that is close to his heart because he has lost several people in his life to the disease. Every year, he tries to recruit others to participate with him as a team. With 7 people strong, the Easton Littleton team this year was the largest yet.
All together the team of 7 raised an impressive $8,500 for child cancer research!
Peter attributes part of the team’s success to the wider Easton community. “The Easton community has been super, super generous. I appreciate that so much,” he says.
Peter admits making the decision to shave his head is never easy. The St. Baldrick’s challenge requires him to make a personal sacrifice every year in the name of a greater good.
“I look better with hair…every year I think maybe I won’t do it this year. And then I think vanity is such a horrible reason to not do it. And every year when it’s over I’m so grateful that I did it.”
Easton is very proud of this year’s team for their selflessness in promoting the cause of child cancer research. Congratulations to the team members, and thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s challenge a success!
