shavee

This month, 17-year-old Flannery sat down in the barber’s chair for the seventh time in her young life. She doesn’t have a personal story of childhood cancer or a connection – she shaves and fundraises for research because it’s the right thing to do.

Flannery grins during her shave on March 15 at the Matt Denny’s Ale House event in Arcadia, California.

When Flannery was 9 years old, she shaved her head with St. Baldrick’s for the very first time. She doesn’t remember being scared or nervous as the stylist snipped off her long ponytail.

“I just remember being really, really excited and feeling my head after and being really happy,” she said.

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Leanne gives Ava a kiss on her peach-fuzz head, while her baby sister, Addalyn, giggles.

It turns out that being bald is an instant conversation starter. Leanne, who just recently shaved with St. Baldrick’s, loves it.

“It’s very empowering,” she said. “Honestly, it hasn’t even been a week yet and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked about my hair. It just opens the door for conversation and I love that, because I love talking about my daughter.”

Her daughter’s name was Ava  – Ava the brave, bald and beautiful.

Ava showed an independent streak as soon as she could sit up by herself. “I’ve never seen anything like it. She just really was her own person,” her mom said.

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That’s right — it’s time to take the plunge and register for a St. Baldrick’s event!

Every 2 minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer.

YOU can make a difference for these kids.

Be a part of the world’s largest volunteer-powered charity for childhood cancer research. Get involved with a St. Baldrick’s event today!

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Someone you know is shaving their head for childhood cancer research and is asking YOU for a donation. But why should you give?

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When Honored Kid Hazel H. relapsed, there was no clear path forward. There was no tried-and-true roadmap to survival. There was no cure. But now, spunky, precocious little Hazel is cancer free for the second time. How? Three words that bring kids with cancer and their families hope – childhood cancer research.

Diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2013, Hazel relapsed after two and a half years cancer free. Now, in a turn of events rare for kids with relapsed neuroblastoma, she’s cancer free once again.

It was the summer of 2016 when Hazel and her family went on vacation to Yosemite National Park. For once, they were all together – Lauren and Aaron, plus the five kids: Micah, Elizabeth, Hazel, Jonah and Zoe. It felt normal. Like a regular family vacation.

For some families that might sound typical, like something every family does every summer. But to this family – which had spent the past few years in and out of hospitals, making life-or-death decisions – typical was wonderful. It was a strange, unfamiliar kind of bliss.

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Ever since Joe and Erin Martorano’s daughter Sara was diagnosed with childhood cancer, St. Baldrick’s has been part of the family. From shaving to organizing events and starting a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund, they’ve done it all. Read on to find out why.

The Martorano family smiles together during Sara’s treatment for cancer. From left to right: Anna, Erin, Mary, Joe and Sara.

Joe Martorano first shaved his head with St. Baldrick’s in 2008, alongside his colleagues at the Chicago Police Department. He didn’t have a direct connection to childhood cancer at the time. Fundraising for kids’ cancer research just seemed like the right thing to do.

Later that year, that would all change.

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Alyson Weissman is a dedicated St. Baldrick’s shavee℠, a member of the 46 Mommas and the founder of a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund which raises crucial funds for lifesaving research. Why does she do so much? Because Alyson is also the parent of a cancer survivor. Read on for more about what being a survivor really means, how she conquers fear and why she works so hard to fund kids’ cancer research.

Alyson shaves her head with St. Baldrick’s as her son holds her hand.

My son Jared was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2007. This year, in July, he will be a nine-year cancer survivor.

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When people say good things come in small packages, they must be talking about Honored Kid Gabriella. Read on to find out more about this pint-sized inspiration and how her family is showing their love not only for her, but also for other kids with cancer.

Gabriella with her sisters and mom, Jennifer. From left to right:  Sophia, Adriana, Gabriella, Jennifer, and Sabella.

There’s something very special about Gabriella. Behind her contagious laugh and love for cracking jokes is deep compassion for others far beyond her seven years. This gift gives Gabriella the ability to inspire and touch the hearts of all who know her.

But it wasn’t always that way.

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Whether on the mat or under the clippers, Honored Kid Juliana lives with passion — and a brain tumor will never take that away from her. Learn more about Juliana, her diagnosis and its impact, and why she shaved her head for kids like her.

Juliana competes at a gymnastics championship before her diagnosis.

Growing up, I was active and always full of energy. To fuel my need for excitement, my parents enrolled me in gymnastics. I soon discovered that gymnastics was my calling. After winning many state titles and high-level regional and national titles, I was on my way to becoming a USA Gymnastics Elite gymnast.

In May of 2015, I started having difficulties with my vision and balance.

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What goes together like hot summer days and peanuts? Like the smell of freshly cut grass and the crack of a bat? Like catchy jingles and the 7th inning stretch? Baseball and St. Baldrick’s, of course! Meet Adam, the 12-year-old baseball fan behind a unique fundraiser for kids’ cancer research.

Adam watches his favorite team, the New York Yankees, play at Yankee Stadium.

For as long as he can remember, Adam has loved baseball. He started playing tee-ball as a tyke and now plays third base, which is the perfect fit for his lightning reflexes and strong throwing arm.

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