Rollin Tylerr Jones and his family are once again raising funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fund promising research of childhood cancer. Courtesy photo
https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1130572/2024/donors#content
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
For many years now, Santa Fe firefighter/paramedic Rollin Tylerr Jones of Los Alamos has registered, raised funds and had his head shaved in support of St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This year marks the 25th year that St. Baldrick’s has been raising funds for promising research that gives hope to kids with cancer everywhere.
Since 2005 St. Baldrick’s, through the efforts of people like Jones, has raised some $342 million for childhood cancer research grants worldwide. Two years ago, his wife Becca also shaved her head to raise funds. This year Rollin has already raised more than $7,000 and is hoping to bring that amount up to $8,000. Over his career he has raised almost $70,000.
Sophia Jones/Courtesy photo
Daughter Sophia, aged 12, her dad has been supporting St. Baldrick’s for “at least all my life”.
“It’s important because so many kids my age or younger or older have cancer and they don’t really have a voice. What my dad is trying to do is raise awareness about those kids,” she said. “Not many people know these kids or talk to them and parents who have kids with cancer are too busy trying to take care of them.”
Rollin said people don’t realize how high the numbers are, but worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes.
This two-minute video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mDT9ONQCAI explains the work of St. Baldrick’s.
“The slogan, ‘It’s time to take childhood back from cancer’ pretty much sums it up. Our community has always been very generous to this cause, so I’m appealing for support again this year,” Jones said.
Rollin Tylerr Jones/Courtesy photo
To donate, go to https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1130572/2024/donors#content
The fundraiser is ongoing but the main event is March 17 at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Watch for details of that event and others to be held locally in the coming weeks. And it’s not too late to register, raise funds and shave your head!