The name St. Baldrick isn’t affiliated with any recognized saint of the Catholic church. The unofficial title of saint is more of a gesture towards the participants of its annual head shaving events. What started in 2000 as a singular event between businessmen has grown into an international movement. In 2015 there were 1,294 events in 28 countries and over 50,000 people shaved their heads to express their solidarity towards children with cancer.
The hair they shave isn’t made into wigs or collected for any other purposes. It is more of a means to an end, that end being raising critical funds for childhood cancer research. Most kids with cancer are likely to lose their hair during treatment, which is why the “shaves,” as they’re called, shave their heads, so they can stand proudly bald next to these children. But of course, they also help accomplish the bigger goal, since they also raise money while shaving their heads.
Our St. Baldrick’s crew is doing a great job getting ready for Tuesday’s big event! pic.twitter.com/rMmPJDth9z
— Hersey High School (@HerseyHuskies) March 11, 2016
These events can take place anywhere, from pubs to schools, churches to malls, and military bases to public parks and with electric shavers, razors, or anything sharp. The “Shavees” register on the official St. Baldrick website, collect money from their friends and family (someone’s about to go bald for a noble cause, so they better pay up), and finally show up at the volunteer-organized event near them to actually shave their hair off. The event is a mix of emotional and fun.
Head shaving, to some, is a silly routine and to others, it’s a beautiful gesture. But what everyone agrees on is the fact that these events have been very, very effective. In 2015 alone, a total of $36,981,232 was raised from these events. A total of $178,133,099 has been raised between 2005 and 2015.
“I am a survivor because of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation research…” Read more: https://t.co/o51YoBS3Bw pic.twitter.com/JybraX9hiv
— St. Baldrick’s Foundation (@StBaldricks) March 10, 2016
Greenwich High School in Connecticut, has been hosting its own St. Baldrick head shaving event annually for the past four years. Between 2012 and 2014 it raised almost $90,000. Interested members of the community, in particular the students of the school participate in the event. Also Cleveland Heights Community Centre in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, hosted the St. Baldrick’s Foundation 5th Annual Cleveland Heights Head-Shaving Event this year and raised a record $100,000.
Shavees included a second grader at Fairfax Elementary, Olive Chicotel, who shaved her long locks of hair to raise $4,000 for the fundraiser. She did this to honor the memory of her friend, Rebecca Meyer, who died of brain cancer in 2014. The money raised will benefit a St. Baldrick’s hero fund created in Rebecca’s honor and the kids from Fairfax Elementary raised a total of $30,000.
Similarly, Plymouth ROC, one of Plymouth, Michigan’s most renounced restaurants, will host its 6th St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving event this year on May 15. This particular event is set to be unique as it includes raffles and selling the opportunity to shave the heads of the participant’s friend/family member.
To date, all 50 states and 28 different countries, including China and India, have hosted similar events . It is just one of those things you read about and instantly want to be a part of. If you too want to be a part of it there are many ways you could do so. The easiest way would be to go to an event near you, watch Shavees shave their hair off, and donate money to a truly noble cause.
A bolder participation of course would be to volunteer to shave your hair off — be a Shavee. It would be a lot of fun and you would be raising awareness and funds for a great cause. Another way to participate is by volunteering at a local event. All you have to do is register as a volunteer on the official St. Baldrick’s Foundation website and your local volunteer event organizer will contact you. The last, and perhaps the most difficult, way to participate is by organizing an event near you if there isn’t any. Anyone can do it, and the event would definitely make a great and fun addition to your community. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be just as fun and satisfying at the end knowing that you contributed to a great cause.
It is events like these that show the true colors of our seemingly bleak existence as human beings. It shows us how together we can battle all adversity and have fun doing it. In a way the St. Baldrick head shaving event epitomizes the greatness of human spirit. Participate and be a part of this greatness.
[Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images]