Be Bold, Be Bald! To Help Fight Cancer & Honor Patients

BOSTON, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Small Army for a Cause, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to raising money to fight cancer in bold new ways, today announced the date for their second annual Be Bold, Be Bald! fundraising effort -- a day when participants are sponsored to wear a bald cap to raise money for cancer charities.  On October 22, 2010, anyone across the U.S. who wants to show their support and raise much-needed funds can "Be Bold, Be Bald."  

Whether participants wear a bald cap or support someone who does, they are showing compassionate support for those who lose their hair and face other side effects from cancer treatments each year.  For a $15 sign-up fee, each participant receives a kit which includes a bald cap and a t-shirt.  Net proceeds from the event will be split between national cancer charities including The Jimmy Fund, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, The Prostate Cancer Foundation, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and International Myeloma Foundation.  Participants are able to choose which of these charities their fundraising proceeds benefit.

When founder Jeff Freedman's business partner in Boston ad agency Small Army, Mike Connell, died of cancer in November 2007, he and his team wanted to honor his memory with a bold and different fundraiser.  "Small Army for A Cause" is their tribute to Connell's legacy and the valiant fight he put up against this horrible disease.

"Be Bold, Be Bald is a real reflection of the creative spirit and independent thinking that made Mike such an amazing ad man -- never mind father, friend, husband and son," says Freedman.  "Great strategic and creative ideas are not just for selling products -- they have the potential to make a much more meaningful impact in the society.  Raising close to $100,000 in year one, we proved that.  And, we look forward to making that point with even more success in 2010."

At the event's website, www.beboldbebald.org, visitors can register as an individual participant, start or join a team, sponsor someone or learn more about the event.  All participants (individuals and teams) also receive their own sponsor page with tools to help them spread the word and solicit sponsors.  An interactive "Balderizer" tool shows visitors how they will look on the day of the event, and enables them to share the image with friends and colleagues. Visitors can also contribute to the "Bold Moves" blog and share stories of bold actions that inspire them.  SmallArmy4Cause is also on Twitter and Facebook.  

"Be Bold, Be Bald provides an opportunity to engage participants across the nation in a unique way," said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, president and CEO of Prostate Cancer Foundation. "It's a visible act of goodness to wear a bald cap in admiration of the courage of those faced with prostate cancer chemotherapy - yet it has a profound impact on organizations like PCF. Funds raised through Be Bold, Be Bald will support advanced research to fast-forward a cure for prostate cancer," added Simons.

"LIVESTRONG is delighted to be selected as a beneficiary of Small Army for a Cause's 'Be Bold, Be Bald' event," said Phil Hills, LIVESTRONG Executive Vice President.  "We are honored to be included among such distinguished organizations as The Jimmy Fund and The Prostate Cancer Foundation who are doing outstanding work in the fight against cancer and we thank Small Army for supporting LIVESTRONG through this innovative event."

About Small Army for a Cause

Small Army for a Cause is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to helping causes in need through the creation and management of bold fund-raising ideas and events.  Be Bold, Be Bald! is the first event launched by the organization and in 2009 raised more close to $100,000, with all net proceeds being distributed to 501c3 cancer organizations.  Future events for cancer and other causes are under consideration.

SOURCE Small Army for a Cause