The Oregon softball team is raising money for a good cause.
Members of the Ducks softball roster have signed up to raise money for the University of Oregon’s St. Baldrick’s charity event, set to take place in April. Several student-athletes at the school are fundraising for the event; at press time, the softball team led the way with more than $6,000 raised as a group.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the nation’s leading private funder of childhood cancer research. Operating on a grant program, the organization gives more money specifically to pediatric cancer research than anyone other than the US government. In 2017 alone, the organization raised more than $36.5 million.
Senior catcher Gwen Svekis leads the team’s fundraising efforts with $1,280 raised individually, at press time. After setting an original goal of $1,000, promising to cut and donate 10” of hair upon reaching the goal, Svekis’ donations surpassed the target within 24 hours. She later upped the ante, pledging to shave her head if she could raise $10,000 by the April 22nd event date.
Sophomore pitcher Miranda Elish and junior outfielder Cherish Burks had each raised more than $800, with $890 and $820, respectively, at press time. Of the eighteen members of the Ducks roster who have set up individual fundraising pages, each has raised at least $25 and fourteen have surpassed the $100 threshold in fundraising.
On Saturday morning, Ducks assistant coach Jimmy Kolaitis added via Twitter that he would shave his head, as well, if the team raised $20,000.
To contribute to the team’s general fundraising efforts, click here. To help Svekis reach her personal goal of $10,000, click here.
