St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally observed by the wearing of the green. But St. Baldrick’s Day, celebrated at the University of Virginia on March 23, requires a much bigger commitment: revelers go bald for a good cause.

The premise behind St. Baldrick’s Day is simple. Volunteers solicit donations to support cancer research, and in exchange for the funds they agree to have their heads shaved to show solidarity with children who lose their hair during cancer treatment. Many participants do it to honor a family member or friend who is fighting cancer, or who died young from the disease.

Organized by fourth-year Erin Henshaw, this year’s St. Baldrick’s Day event raised more than $52,000 for children’s cancer research—triple the amount raised last year. Participation was also way up, from 16 “shavees” in 2006 to more than 60 this year, the vast majority of whom were U.Va. students.

“My family has been involved in shaving their heads for six years,” says Henshaw. It began when her father’s business partner lost his 9-year-old daughter to cancer. This year, Henshaw, her sister, mother and stepmother all had their heads shaved at O’Neill’s, a bar on the Corner and the site of the event for the past two years.

The first St. Baldrick’s Day was organized in New York City in 2000. Last year, St. Baldrick’s Day events—always celebrated in March, and often observed in Irish pubs—were held in 42 states and in Bermuda, Hong Kong and Argentina. Worldwide, the events raised more than $8 million, primarily for the Children’s Oncology Group.

Comments

• Tom Muncaster on February 21, 2011

  This is a very hurtful thing for those who lost someone to cancer, especially after shaving your spouse’s head during chemo. You think you are moving forward with your life and then someone slams you in the face with this to remind you of all the pain ...

• Erin Henshaw on March 22, 2011

  Dear Tom,
  Thank you for taking the time to comment.  I know that this event can be perceived in many ways, and I understand that head-shaving highlights the pain of losing a loved one for you.  I first got involved in this charity because we also lost a close family friend to childhood cancer, and I have since lost an uncle, a best friend, and countless others to this disease. 

  In my perspective, St. Baldrick’s is not only about raising money to help fund cancer research, but gaining empathy for patients, especially children, who have to endure the side effects of chemo and other medications.  Being bald is just one of the many side effects of having cancer over which patients have no control.  I think that shaving one’s head in solidarity is just a small way to understand part of this struggle.

  Having personally shaved my head twice, I know that shaving ones head not only raises money for cancer research, but it brings awareness to the cause.  Walking around campus with a bald head, I was approached by all types of people who share my story.  Additionally, I believe this event helps break down social perceptions of what is beautiful.

  To me, bald is beautiful.

  I respect your opinion about this event.  Through my work at the Avon Walk for Breast cancer I also heard similar comments that this event celebrated or glorified cancer.  However, I view these events not only as fundraisers and activist groups, but support systems that provide a positive community in which we can share stories and make a positive difference in fighting cancer.

  Sincerely,
  Erin Henshaw

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