Local Firefighters Shave Heads to Fight Childhood Cancer

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events have raised more than $11 million so far in 2013. Courtesy photo

Staff report

The Los Alamos Fire Department is hosting a head-shaving event to benefit childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

The head-shaving event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16 at White Rock Fire Station 3 on N.M. 4.

Fifteen firefighters including Deputy Fire Chief Justin Grider have signed up to be shaved.

Los Alamos Firefighter and Team LAFD Treasurer James Thwaits told the Los Alamos Daily Post that he has not been cutting his hair in preparation for the big shave.

This is a fun event that raises money for a very serious and worthy cause. In the 1950’s, most kids diagnosed with cancer died. Due to advances made through cancer research, today approximately 85 percent of kids with the most common types of cancer survive.

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events began as a challenge between businessmen and have grown from one event in 2000 to more than 1,300 events in 2012, raising critical funds for childhood cancer research.

Two-thirds of children treated for childhood cancer will suffer long-term effects from treatment including loss of hearing and sight, heart disease, secondary cancers, learning disabilities, infertility and more. 

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. Its mission is to find cures for childhood cancers and to give survivors long and healthy lives.

Firefighters, police officers and military troops have been a big part of St. Baldrick’s from the beginning. Thousands have added head-shaving to their public service, with events in police and fire stations across the US, and even military bases in Iraq and Germany.

In 2012, St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events raised $33,535,880 from 49,178 male shavers and 7,090 female shavers during 1,308 events.

Team LAFD has received $743 in pledges so far. Donations on behalf of Team LAFD can be made by going to the WEBSITE or by showing up March 16 at the head-shaving event at Fire Station 3.

The public is invited to participate by making a donation, cheering on the shavers or by becoming a shavee.

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