NORWICH – “Ashley is an intelligent, caring and thoughtful 8-year-old girl who loves to draw, loves school and has lots of friends,” begins a letter written by her family.

The letter was addressed to the volunteers, donors and participants across the country, and now the world, who’ve helped raise money for St. Baldrick’s since 2000.

“When she is not in chemotherapy treatments she loves to spend time with her friends and family,” it continues. “Ashley wants to thank all of those who have donated. It is with donations like yours that have found life saving treatments to cure the type of leukemia she has.”

What is St. Baldrick’s? It’s a series of events held on or about St. Patrick’s Day each year where thousands get together – in bars, banquet halls and arenas, in cities and towns in 46 states and 18 countries – and have their heads shaved for donations. The money goes toward childhood cancer research. So far, the event has raised $34 million worldwide.

In Norwich, there’s been an annual St. Baldrick’s event since 2005. This year’s is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 in the Howard Johnson’s Hotel ballroom. Organizer Tracy Chawgo says it’s become an annual tradition locally, as it has in many other places.

“The whole event has taken on a life of its own,” said Chawgo. “Around here, you can tell its getting closer when you start to see a lot of shaggy-looking people running around.”