St. Baldrick’s Foundation Proudly Announces the Release of Hip-Hop Song “They Ask Me” on iTunes

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
626.792.8247 x50
traci@stbaldricks.org

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Proudly Announces the Release of Hip-Hop Song “They Ask Me” on iTunes

Sales of song written and performed by St. Baldrick’s supporter will help fund life-saving childhood cancer research

CHICAGO (October 10, 2011) – It takes music to Conquer Kids’ Cancer! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, is pleased to announce the availability of “They Ask Me” on iTunes, an original song by Rocky Wagner. The hip-hop song is about Wagner’s experience with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation as a four-year volunteer event organizer and shavee, with a call to action for others to get involved in the fight to Conquer Kids’ Cancer.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, is the largest volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Wagner has been organizing the St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving fundraising event at Summit Learning Center in Robbins, Ill., where he teaches high school special education. The school’s annual event is part of the Fox Chicago School Challenge and has raised more than $12,500 for the Foundation since it started in 2008.

“‘They Ask Me’ speaks to the struggles that all kids and their families go through while fighting cancer while also emphasizing the celebratory feeling of being at a St. Baldrick’s event,” says Wagner. “The support from the students, faculty and school district has been incredible. Kids are singing ‘They Ask Me’ while walking, and some even dancing, in the halls to it. It’s truly incredible to see how this has helped bring the school together and to rally around the cause to find cures for children’s cancers!”

St. Baldrick’s will receive 10 cents of the sale price from each download of “They Ask Me.” Wagner hopes that the release will not only raise money to help fund pediatric cancer research but that it will also help people better understand how cancer changes a child’s life, forever.

“We are excited to see our St. Baldrick’s supporters embrace this song and know they will be touched by its words,” says Kathleen Ruddy, executive director for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “We’re most proud of the young people who have been empowered by the music to help other young people conquer cancer. Each of us has so much to give, and there truly is no end to the ways our volunteers raise awareness and funds that will help find cures for childhood cancers. We are grateful to Rocky for sharing his talent and hope to hear him and his students perform the song at a St. Baldrick’s event soon!”

For more information or to download “They Ask Me” on iTunes, visit the song’s page in the iTunes store.

About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is 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 Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Grants are traditionally awarded twice a year in the months of July and October. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $76 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.