LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending St. Baldrick's Foundation on 14 years
of raising money for children's cancer, and honoring co-Founder John
Bender for special recognition

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for
their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and
publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic
humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend St.
Baldrick's Foundation on 14 years of raising money for children's
cancer, and to honor co-Founder John Bender for special recognition on
Saturday, March 22, 2014, at its Annual Rockville Centre event, at St.
Agnes Parish Center, Rockville Centre, New York; and
WHEREAS, St. Baldrick's Foundation is a childhood cancer charity,
funding research to help find cures for children with cancer; the Foun-
dation raises money for childhood cancer research primarily through
head-shaving events; and
WHEREAS, Volunteers, sponsored by family, friends and employers, shave
their heads in solidarity with children who typically lose their hair
during cancer treatment; this auspicious event takes place all over the
world as far away as Japan, Hong Kong, Argentina, England and Bermuda,
as well as in all 50 States; and
WHEREAS, Since 2000, St. Baldrick's Foundation volunteers have organ-
ized nearly 4,200 head-shaving events and shaved over 190,500 heads,
raising over $118 million for life-saving childhood cancer research; and
WHEREAS, The St. Baldrick's Foundation became a non-profit organiza-
tion in 2005, and makes grants to research organizations which meet
criteria and share the Foundation's commitment and emphasis on research;
and
WHEREAS, St. Baldrick's Foundation research grants help fill crucial
funding gaps at medical institutions where children are treated for
cancer, ensuring the finest care for every child; since its inception,
St. Baldrick's has awarded over 100 Fellow and Scholar awards to develop
the childhood cancer research experts of tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, John Bender, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, began his
esteemed career at St. Paul Reinsurance and is now President and Chief
Operating Officer for Allied World Reinsurance in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, A native of Long Island, New York, John Bender is proud to
call himself Irish-American; along with his siblings, he spent many
childhood summers on his uncle's farm in County Roscommon, Ireland,
where he learned the value of hard work and the art of a good story; and
WHEREAS, An active member in his local communities for the last 20
years, John Bender enjoys spending quality time with his family and
friends, playing golf or just reading a good novel; and
WHEREAS, John Bender helped weave the St. Baldrick's story together
when he took up co-founder Tim Kenny's challenge to give back; drawing
inspiration from Enda McDonnell's mane of hair, it was John who paired
the idea of shaving heads with helping children fighting cancer; and
WHEREAS, Since then, John Bender has distinguished himself as the
"Iron Man" of St. Baldrick's, being the only person in the history of
the Foundation to have been shorn every year, including a second visit
to clippers in 2003; and
WHEREAS, An active recruiter for the cause, John Bender is always
scouting new events, sponsors and shaves; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Alanna Devine, and
their three children, Shannon, Brady and Casey, all of whom look forward

to John's annual shaving, and feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an event
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention, it
should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend St. Baldrick's Foundation on 14 years of raising money for chil-
dren's cancer, and to honor co-Founder John Bender for special recogni-
tion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Bender, co-Founder, St. Baldrick's Foundation.