Participant 734601

Shannon Petrunak Before
Shannon Petrunak After

Shannon Petrunak

shaved to cure childhood cancers!

Mar 13, 2015 • 5:00 pm

Event: Emmaus Shave for the Brave

At: Emmaus Shave for the Brave

Emmaus High School, 500 Macungie Avenue, Emmaus, PA US

Conquer Kids' Cancer

Fundraising

$6,329Raised

$3,000 GOAL

$3,000 GOAL

(888) 899-2253

Download Donation Form

Participant 734601

Participant 734601

Milestones & Stretch Goals

$ 6,329
  • GOAL 3,000 $

Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. Help me fund the research that will save their lives!

Fundraising

$6,329Raised

$3,000 GOAL

$3,000 GOAL

(888) 899-2253

Download Donation Form

Participant 734601

Recent Donors

View All
  1. Edie Meckes in memory of Emily Shoemaker 3/31/2015
  2. Anonymous 3/31/2015
  3. Carolyn LaBute-Somerset in Memory of Zachary Glessner and Alec Hillegass 3/26/2015
  4. Nicholas and Pauline Minor 3/24/2015
  5. Francis and Karen Minor 3/23/2015

Celebrating 25 Years

St. Baldrick’s started as a grassroots effort 25 years ago, driven by people who believe in helping kids with cancer.

National Partner

I shaved to raise money for childhood cancer research with: EHS Track & Field Team

Mar 13, 2015 • 5:00 pm

Event: Emmaus Shave for the Brave

At: Emmaus Shave for the Brave

Emmaus High School, 500 Macungie Avenue, Emmaus, PA US

I shaved to raise money for childhood cancer research with: EHS Track & Field Team

My journey of involvement with kids’ cancer research goes back to 2009 when my 48-year-old mother was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer in November. Due to chemo, losing her hair was inevitable, and I wanted to show my support by shaving my head when the time came in December. Her hair fell out much faster than we expected, and I didn’t make it in time to be with her. Over Christmas break, I asked stylist friends to shave my head, but they refused, worried I’d regret a hasty decision. Frustrated, I randomly stumbled upon the St. Baldrick’s Foundation (thanks, Google!). Little did I know that it would change my life… As a second-year head coach, I pitched the idea of my track and field team hosting a head-shaving event to our booster club. Those parents must have thought I was crazy that night, but thankfully they humored me! Too bad I didn’t even know where to begin! We held our first Shave for the Brave in April 2010 with a goal of $10,000. Outside on our brand new track on a chilly but sunny day, we raised a whopping $24,567! I personally raised $3,040 and was humbled by my amazingly generous friends and family. It was a special event that my husband, mom (then in treatment but now thankfully cancer-free), and sister attended, and the most touching part of our first Shave was the local kids we honored: Parker L. (11.01.01- 11.07.07), James G., Kelly G., Ben J., Sarah N., Abby W.; and two children who have since passed away, David H. (05.02.00- 02.10.11) and Carissa B. (11.16.93- 08.19.11). My original intention was to host a Shave every two years to avoid exhausting our donors, but one of our cancer-free honorees, David, relapsed just months after our event. I couldn’t bear the thought of him missing our next one in two years, so we made plans for our second event in March 2011. Sadly, David died the month before our event, and the reason for this fundraiser became all the more real. It’s disheartening to learn that all types of childhood cancers combined receive only 4% of U.S. federal funding for cancer research. Thankfully, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds more childhood cancer research grants than any organization to date. My students and athletes were even more motivated to save kids like David, who touched all of our lives, and we raised an unbelievable $39,921. Not thinking I could outdo my 2010 total, I was amazed again by my friends and family who helped me raise $3,850. Our special guests of honor joined us for the event, and we added three more honorees: Nicole Sheriff (04.14.89- 05.03.04), Breanna K.; and another child who passed away afterwards, taken from this world far too soon, Joey S. (12.03.99- 04.23.12). We waited two years to host our third event in March 2013, and we raised an extraordinary $49,057. Two years later I’m still in disbelief. My friends and family helped me bring in $3,250, and a lot changed in my personal life between events; the Shave took on new meaning for me as I was joined by my one-year-old daughter (Grace) and unborn child no one yet knew about (Cora)… Healthy children are such a blessing, and I saw our Shave as an opportunity to help those not so fortunate because as much as we don’t want to think about it, cancer can happen to anyone! I was especially proud of my student, Alex, who raised over $7,000 himself in honor of his little sister, Melissa K., who joined our group of honored guests with Emmaus’s biggest sports fan, Sam M. As I plan our fourth Shave and excitedly anticipate being bald again, it’s hard to believe that I’ve been a VEO (Volunteer Event Organizer) for five years now. I believe in St. Baldrick’s and what the Foundation is committed to: funding the most promising research to find cures to childhood cancers and give survivors long, healthy lives. I’m proud of my involvement, my students and athletes, my generous supporters, and these inspiring kids who handle their situations with poise and positivity, without complaint. We could all learn a thing or two from such moving young people! We’ve found success, but there’s still a long way to go! And YOU can make a difference! Thank you for being a hero for kids with cancer, Shannon ♥ “I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am not your expectations. I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.” ~India Arie

My Roles:

  • Shavee
  • Team Captain
  • Lead Organizer

Your Roles

Barber Details

Shannon Petrunak has joined the ranks of:

Knight of the Bald Table

Be it known to all that this participant has dedicated at least seven years of service to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation helping kids with cancer throughout all the land.

St. Baldrick’s Honored Kids

Kids with cancer are our reason for it all. They’re the inspiration behind our event and the reason we’re helping fund childhood cancer research. We believe all kids should be able to grow up and turn their dreams into realities. Join our event or make a donation, and click the photos below to read their incredible stories.

Recent Donors

View All
  1. Edie Meckes in memory of Emily Shoemaker 3/31/2015
  2. Anonymous 3/31/2015
  3. Carolyn LaBute-Somerset in Memory of Zachary Glessner and Alec Hillegass 3/26/2015
  4. Nicholas and Pauline Minor 3/24/2015
  5. Francis and Karen Minor 3/23/2015

Celebrating 25 Years

St. Baldrick’s started as a grassroots effort 25 years ago, driven by people who believe in helping kids with cancer.

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