Hair today, gone tomorrow

Volunteers shave heads to raise money, awareness for childhood cancer research

Residents shave heads to raise money for childhood cancer research A6

Some had long locks of hair, others barely any at all, but regardless, 17 individuals said farewell to their hair in solidarity with children battling cancer, as part of a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

The “Bald for a Cause Southern Maryland” event was held Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in La Plata.

Marcie Robinson, event organizer, said the event was held in memory of Madison “Maddie Grace” Major, known as Charles County’s “Warrior Princess,” who died in October 2015 after several bouts of leukemia.

“We wanted to do this in honor of all Southern Maryland kids fighting cancer, but particularly in memory of Maddie Grace Major, who was a member of our church,” Robinson said.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research grants. It is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research in the country, Robinson said.

“It’s all raised through community events like this, all of it,” Robinson said.

Robinson said the Saturday event and online donations raised a total of $5,016.17 toward childhood cancer research.

Robinson’s son, Kaden Robinson, 11, a student at the Beddow School, was one of those who took part in the head shaving.

“I chose to shave my head so I can help people who don’t have the choice to shave their heads, and to make a difference,” Kaden said. “Maddie Grace Warrior Princess was a very close friend of mine … and so this is for her as well.”

Renee Wah travelled from Northern Virginia to have her head shaved.

“I really wanted to show my support, and there were none in my area, so I drove up here,” Wah said. “Thinking about cancer research, and the way it needs to be funded more and more, I thought, ‘Why not do this?’ It’s such a visual statement, I think it raises awareness in a very unique way that I am glad to participate in.”

Dawn Camp of Port Tobacco is herself a skin cancer survivor.

“I wanted to support the kids going through this,” Camp said. “I thought this was something I could do and it would save me from getting a haircut.”

The event also featured food sales, a silent auction, a bake sale, face painting, a lemonade stand and children’s activities.

Jim Howard Jr. of Mechanicsville has his head shaved by Kaki Brown of Alchemy the Salon in La Plata during the “Going Bald for a Cause Southern Maryland” fundraiser for childhood cancer research Saturday.

STAFF PHOTOS BY JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU Dawn Camp of Port Tobacco has her head shaved by Sam Baker of Sports Clips in La Plata during the “Going Bald for a Cause Southern Maryland” fundraiser for childhood cancer research Saturday.

Renee Wah of McQueen, Va., laughs at a joke while getting her head shaved by Sam Baker, manager at Sports Clips in La Plata, during the “Going Bald for a Cause Southern Maryland” fundraiser in support of childhood cancer research Saturday.

Renee Wah has her head shaved by Sam Baker, manager of Sport Clips in La Plata, during the “Going Bald for a Cause Southern Maryland” fundraiser for childhood cancer research Saturday.