Jud, Head of Community at Pinterest, recounts his company’s first St. Baldrick’s event. Join Jud — be a shavee℠!

Harlem with Jud while Jud shaves his head for St. Baldrick’s.

Jud before shaving his head.
When I suggested that Pinterest host an event, I hoped to convince at least one other person to be a shavee, and I expected to have to work hard to get there. Three weeks before the event, we had five shavees and a few other excited volunteers — including Kelly, who organized the entire event — ready to go. I optimistically estimated that we’d raise $5,000.
With about a week to go, we got news that we would be joined by Harlem, an 8-year-old survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma and one of five St. Baldrick’s 2014 Ambassadors. At that news, we nearly tripled the number of volunteers and the fundraising began in earnest.
One shavee’s wife learned of his decision from a second company-wide email and proudly supported him. Two colleagues donated $1,000 each in the memory of lost loved ones. Three of our engineering leaders offered to shave if their teams contributed $1,000 — and they did.

Weldon speaking at the Pinterest head-shaving event.

Harlem and his brother look on as volunteers go bald at the Pinterest event.
Shavees and volunteers: Make it real and stay connected to the cause by honoring a child on your participant or event page.
Fund childhood cancer research and help kids with cancer.
Read more stories on the St. Baldrick’s blog:
- ‘One of Those Good Days’: Ambassador Harlem’s Third Shave for St. Baldrick’s
- Meet Aubrey Castro, the 3-Year-Old Artist Who Raised $20,000 For Childhood Cancer Research
- How My Mom’s Breast Cancer Journey Inspired Me to Pursue a Career in Childhood Cancer Research
- Keeping My Heart Full with Memories of Henry