St. Baldrick's: Shaving Heads To Save Lives

he Fr. Thomas A. Judge K of C team surpassed its goal of $6,500 with the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at Miller’s Ale House in Commack on March 11. Pictured shaves are Rich Fitzgerald, Mike Norton, Chris Dee, Tom O’Donnell, Bob Dabkowski, Paul Mullman with sons Jake and Luke, and Bob Slingo. Photo courtesy of Bob Slingo

Northport Middle School students have their heads shaved to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, formed to raise money to research cures for cancers affecting children. Photo/Northport-East Northport School District

Students Sam and Harry from Bellerose Avenue Elementary were excited to participate and help the St. Baldrick’s cause.

Photo/Northport-East Northport School District

One of many shaves at Napper Tandy’s Northport on March 10. Photo/Facebook/Northport St. Baldrick’s

Just a few of the heads that were shaved March 10 during the annual St. Baldrick’s event at Napper Tandy’s Northport. Photo/Facebook/Northport St. Baldrick’s

There’s been a bunch of buzzing across town over the past couple of weeks. Yes, it’s St. Baldrick’s season.

Annual head shavings that raise money for the fight against childhood cancer are being held across town.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation organizes and assists with head shaving events taking place during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday season. Shaving events have raised millions upon millions of dollars toward the best research practices to help find a cure for cancers affecting children.

On March 9, the Northport Middle School auditorium was literally buzzing after school.

Representatives of St. Baldrick’s Foundation were on hand to shave the heads of 14 students who agreed to have their heads shaved in exchange for donations.

Volunteers sat patiently in their chairs and temporarily bid their locks of hair farewell for this great cause. Northport Middle School St. Baldrick’s team captain Mary Jean Crane took a seat at the shaving chair as well, along with a few other brave young women. Crane, along with three other dedicated participants, were officially inducted into the “St. Baldrick’s Knights of the Bald Table” for their seventh year of participation.

Other schools within the Northport-East Northport School District held their own St. Baldrick’s fundraisers, including Dickinson Avenue Elementary and Bellerose Avenue Elementary. Altogether, the district raised over $63,000.

The next day, a fresh group of volunteers hit Napper Tandy’s Northport for the pub’s annual shave. The event raised $92,538 as of deadline Friday, according to the St. Baldrick’s website, through which donations continue to be accepted.

There was also a head-shaving event at Miller’s Ale House in Commack on March 11. The event raised $23,233 as of deadline Friday.