State Senator Tony Hwang, whose district includes Newtown, will be shaving his head today in an effort to raise money for pediatric cancer research at the annual St. Baldrick’s “Team Teddy” event in Fairfield. 

The event was started in honor of third grader Teddy Gerber, who was diagnosed with sarcoma in November 2009.  He passed away in August 2010. Since then, the annual Team Teddy event has raised more than $940,000. 

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the world’s largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, raising over $230 million since 2000.  In Connecticut, St. Baldrick’s has funded research grants at both Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Yale New Haven Hospital, as well as provided stipends for Fellows and funding for Infrastructure at both locations.