Bald is Beautiful for Area Women

The St. Baldrick's Foundation has a legion of volunteers. It is committed to funding research to find cures for childhood cancers. Its goal is to give survivors long and healthy lives. It’s working to “conquer kids' cancers.”

Each March a fundraiser is held in our area to help fund research grants. Several doctors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital are recipients of funds that support promising research. At this year’s March 6 fundraiser at Martin’s East, Dr. Eric Raaber, a third-year grant recipient, was the guest speaker. His research focuses on children’s brain tumors. 

The name “Baldricks” gives a hint of what to expect at the event. With auctions, games, and many other fun things to do, participants are full of energy, playing games and eating great food. 

Wide smiles cut across everyone’s face, however, when the main event begins—head shaving.

Teams and individuals agree to shave their heads in support of children who are bald because of cancer treatment. This year’s Martin’s East event had a goal to raise $100,000. The final tote board read: $126,550. (See: ")

Of the approximately 196 shavees, seven of them were women.

Since the March event, I met with two of the participants to learn more about why they agreed to go bald.

Candy Richardson participated this year to support a young girl with cancer. The girl is bald and has energized Richardson to continue her participation—she has participated for 10 years.

“I shaved my head several times throughout the years," Richardson said.  "However, in talking with my little friend, I realized the importance of wigs. I saw how much a nice wig meant to her and others who were also dealing with baldness. So recently, I waited a couple of years … growing my hair. This year, I donated my hair to Locks of Love for a wig before having my head shaved.”

Andrea Kelly heard about the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in 2010, just weeks before the event. She knew she did not have enough time to raise a sizeable donation and therefore decided to wait for 2011’s event. 

With more than $1,000 collected, Kelly felt ready to join the queue.  She had her hair cut and donated to Locks of Love, then had her head shaved. 

Kelly notes she has lost several members of her family to cancer. She is adamant about helping to raise funds to find better diagnostic equipment, improved treatments and ultimately a cure.

Both ladies agreed the St. Baldrick’s Foundation's message and goal is admirable. And while their heads did get cold, it didn’t take long for their hair to begin to grow again. Both will also gladly participate again next year, in some way. The only decision now is whether or not to grow their hair for another Locks of Love donation before agreeing to shave again! 

To learn more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, visit their website.  Feel free to make a donation or sign up to participate in a local event. Events consist of both teams and individuals who agree to shave their heads. Others volunteer to assist in all the activities taking place during the event. 

Locks of Love is an organization that provides custom-made hairpieces to children with medical hair loss. It accepts hair that is at least 10 inches long and not bleached.  The hair must be tied into a ponytail at the time it is cut. Visit their website for specific details.