PRESS RELEASE
City of Woodland
300 First Street
A Woodland Police Department sergeant made a traffic stop that inspired him to make a difference in the lives of young cancer patients. Sgt. Ted Ruiz pulled a vehicle over last year for a minor violation. Inside the vehicle, the passengers were on a FaceTime call with a young family member who was in the hospital for cancer treatment. Sgt Ruiz began talking to 6-year-old Pastor on the FaceTIme call and they've kept in touch ever since.
Sgt. Ruiz has been growing out his hair for nearly a year. Now he's ready to shave it off to support Pastor and the St. Baldrick's Foundation's mission to find cures for children with cancer. Sgt. Ruiz and Pastor will be reuniting and joining St Baldrick's Foundation for Woodland Shaves on Saturday, March 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Father Paddy's, 435 Main Street in Woodland. Join us for the event. Sgt. Ruiz and Pastor will be available for interviews.
Woodland PD is excited to partner with community leaders in hosting 19 shavees. Our team has raised more than $20,000 so far. We will stream the event on our social media platforms so that our entire community can join this effort. Help us get the word out so we can find a cure for cancer.
St. Baldrick's Foundation Fast Facts
- More than $305 Million in research grants raised since 2005
- Since the first event in 2000, money raised has helped change the outcomes for children with cancer worldwide.
- 82% to 94% survival rate increase for children with high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- 30% to 50% survival rate increase of high-risk neuroblastoma
- 80% to 90 % survival rate increase of a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia