The Mycenaean

On Saturday, March 2, I attended the Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub’s annual St. Baldrick’s event with a few friends. Together, we raised $920 for childhood cancer awareness and lost the majority of our hair.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation began in 2000 when three pals in Manhattan gave birth to the idea of shaving heads for cancer. From then on, the tradition grew around the nation until the foundation hit the $100 million mark last year.

In the past, I have not been very enthusiastic about the event, raising only $150 in my past two tries. I needed to make it interesting for not only me but my donors, too. As a result, I promised those who donated to my cause that I would wear a mohawk for a day or two. Those who know me would understand how outrageous this change would be.

I arrived to a crowded plaza with my team (Can we beat cancer? Yes we can, sir!) at 2:30 the afternoon of the event.

Once we broke through the crowd, each of us registered and got in line to go on stage. Unfortunately, the wait lasted an hour before we were able to get on stage.

There were five chairs on stage with a corresponding barber for each chair. One by one, participants would have their heads shaved in front of the crowd while the host would talk about each shavee.

There was plenty of emotion under the tent. People from all ages and all walks of life revealed their stories involving cancer and mainly why they decided to raise money. Fueled by alcohol and the host’s comments, the crowd roared and clapped depending on the story.

While the host focused on another group’s members, my barber shaved my head into an extremely shabby mohawk. It looked as if I was wearing a lopsided hair-piece.

St. Baldrick’s is one of the highlights of my year because I commit myself to selflessness and strive to make a difference by raising more money. As I go into college, I will look to continue this tradition so that it won’t die out in the future.

Luckily, I was able to go home and sharpen the mohawk before the Hurricanes’ game later that night. St. Baldrick’s is a great event every year and helps thousands of children get the help they need.