Members of the Valparaiso men’s soccer team, as well as Valparaiso University president Dr. Mark Heckler and his wife Veronica, among others, will be getting their heads shaved for the third consecutive year at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Sunday, April 21 at noon as the Crusaders raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.

The Crusaders first raised money for St. Baldrick’s in an event in 2011, where they were able to raise better than $5,000 for the foundation. Last year, the team set a goal of raising $10,000 and flew past that mark, eventually raising over $23,000. This year, the Crusaders set a goal of $15,000 and have already surpassed that target, with current pledges totaling nearly $16,500.

President Heckler will be getting his head shaved as part of the event for the second straight year, while his wife, Veronica, will be having her head shaved for the first time. In addition, the Valpo men's soccer program will be welcoming Miss Indiana Teen USA Darrian Arch, a native of Chesterton, as an event volunteer.

Fans are invited to come out on the 21st to support the team, donate to the cause or even join the team and get their head shaved. Fans can also donate by visiting http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/valpo online or by calling assistant coach Jeff Oleck at 219-464-5059 to donate by check.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation currently funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. The Foundation coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide, where volunteers get bald to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer and raise money to support life-saving childhood cancer research. St. Baldrick's events are the largest volunteer-driven fundraising opportunity benefitting pediatric cancer research.