St. Baldrick`s Foundation Honors Six-Year-Old Boy as 2009 International Child Ambassador

Young cancer survivor to attend head-shaving events and serve as child
spokesperson to raise awareness of the need for childhood cancer research
PASADENA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Mason Bernard, a six-year-old from Colorado, has been named the St. Baldrick`s
Foundation`s International Child Ambassador for 2009. Mason will follow in the
footsteps of past child ambassadors in putting a name and face to childhood
cancer. With the mission of Shaving the Way to Conquer Kids` Cancer, the St.
Baldrick`s Foundation hosts worldwide head-shaving events where volunteers shave
their heads to stand in solidarity with kids who typically lose their hair
during cancer treatment.

Cancer is the number one disease-killer of children in the United States and
worldwide it affects more than 160,000 children each year. Currently battling
cancer for the second time, Mason is an inspiration for other children and
families fighting this disease.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when he was two, Mason has
endured four years of hospital stays, tests and 104 weeks of chemotherapy,
taking it all in stride with a cheerfulness which has amazed friends, family and
medical professionals, alike. Preparing to perform in a kindergarten show with
his classmates, Mason learned to dance the "Turkey Tango" while tethered to an
IV pole, but was too weak to perform on stage with his friends. After relapsing
in 2007, when his father explained to him what had happened, Mason simply
replied "These are the cards we were dealt."

As the St. Baldrick`s Foundation`s International Child Ambassador, Mason and his
parents will attend various St. Baldrick`s events while giving hope and
encouragement to other children with cancer and their families. Featured on the
St. Baldrick`s Foundation event posters used in the U.S. and at events abroad,
Mason is the international face of St. Baldrick`s this year.

"Everyone at St. Baldrick`s who has spoken with Mason and his parents have been
struck by his bravery, his enjoyment of life and determination to live it to the
fullest," said Kathleen Ruddy, executive director for the St. Baldrick`s
Foundation. "We are all confident he will be a wonderful representative for the
many brave children battling cancer every day. We are proud and honored to have
Mason representing us this year."

On March 4, Mason had his first cranial radiation treatment at the Children`s
Hospital in Denver. Later that day he visited the nearby University of Colorado,
where he met St. Baldrick`s Scholar, Dr. Amy Keating, and toured her research
lab. Mason will continue to attend other St. Baldrick`s events throughout the
year.

Since 2000, St. Baldrick`s has raised more than $57 million by hosting over
2,200 head-shaving events and shaving more than 94,000 heads in 18 countries and
48 U.S. states. St. Baldrick`s has set a fundraising goal of $20 million for
2009, and has already raised more than $9 million to date.

Want to go bald for a great cause? Interested supporters can join the fight and
visit www.StBaldricks.org to locate an event in their community, organize an
event, pledge to shave or donate money to St. Baldrick`s and become a hero for
kids with cancer.

About The St. Baldrick`s Foundation

The St. Baldrick`s Foundation makes grants to research institutions to find new
cures for childhood cancer, and to find treatments to ensure a better quality of
life for patients and survivors. The foundation funds research projects
conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger
professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of
local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials,
offering the best available care for every child. The St. Baldrick`s Foundation
is grateful to its many volunteers (bald or not!), donors and sponsors,
including Allied World, elope and PartnerRe. For more information about St.
Baldrick`s, please call 1-888-899-BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

For St. Baldrick`s Foundation
Jayme Burnett, 919-334-3779
jayme.burnett@fleishman.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009