World's Largest Gathering of Leprechauns Support Childhood Cancer Research

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. Baldrick's Foundation announces St. Baldrick's Lepre-Con 2016, the inaugural gathering of the largest number of leprechauns in one place, presented by national hair care franchise Sport Clips Haircuts, which has almost 1,500 locations across the U.S., including thirteen locations in the Las Vegas area. The event is expected to make its way right into the Guinness Book of World Records. The current record was set in Ireland in 2012 with 1,263 participants.

Unlike any other convention, St. Baldrick's Lepre-Con is not just about thousands of people dressed as leprechauns having fun with family and friends - it's about helping to give kids with cancer a future. Proceeds from the event will support world-class childhood cancer research through the grants funded by the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

"We at St. Baldrick's, and our amazing volunteer team in Las Vegas, are thrilled to host this unique event to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research," said Kathleen Ruddy, CEO of St. Baldrick's. "We hope to break the world record and show kids with cancer they have our support. If you think our head-shaving events are fun, just wait until you see countless leprechauns invading Las Vegas!"

St. Baldrick's Lepre-Con will take place Saturday, Feb. 13 at Town Square in Las Vegas. The event will also include a 5k run/walk, a kids' activity corner, live music, beer garden and of course no Lepre-Con would be complete without an Irish jig! Two local kids will be honored: Kaila Elder, 12, who just finished treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, and Avery Driscoll, 12, who recently underwent brain surgery after learning her brain tumor had grown.

This one-of-a-kind event starts the countdown to the numerous St. Baldrick's head-shaving events that will take place locally in March. Avery's younger sister, Hallie, 9, will kick-off Lepre-Con 2016 by shaving her head on stage in honor of her sister.

Those who can't make it to the event can still donate to the Foundation and help to raise awareness for Lepre-Con by creating a jig video and posting it to social media using the hashtag #LepreConJig. Then, tag and challenge three friends to post their own video doing the jig. But why three? To recognize that every three minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer worldwide.

Be part of a record-breaking event! For additional information on how to get involved, be a sponsor, or to register for St. Baldrick's Lepre-Con 2016, visit Lepre-Con.org.

About St. Baldrick's Foundation
As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick's Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to innovative explorers who bring with them the promise of a future free from childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them. Join us at StBaldricks.org to help support the best cancer treatments for kids.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160111/321221
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/296104LOGO

SOURCE St. Baldricks Foundation

Related Links

http://www.stbaldricks.org