St. Baldrick's event March 17 in Willowbrook offers a brave shave for kids with cancer

Members from several area police departments will do a brave shave for kids with cancer during the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the Kerry Piper Pub, 7900 Joliet Road in Willowbrook.

Members of the Willowbrook and Summit police departments and the Illinois State Police will join other community members and shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer.

The event will raise awareness and funds for children's cancer research through the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

St. Baldrick's funds some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and survivors.

The foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the United States government.

"You could call this a close shave with the law, but in a very good way," said Tim Kobler, a Willowbrook Police officer, executive board member of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, and one of the event organizers. "I can't think of a better way to show these children that we care and that we are committed to giving them a fighting chance in their battle with cancer."

Sponsors, donors and participants are still welcome for the March 17 event. For more information, visit www.stbaldricks.org.

The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing officers, the FOP is the most respected and most recognized police organization in the country. The Illinois FOP, chartered in 1963, is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 34,000 active duty and retired police officers - more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide. Visit www.ilfop.org for more information.