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AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - More than 40 volunteers got their heads shaved this afternoon in Austin. They decided to go bald for a great cause, all while raising awareness for childhood cancer research.
It may look like an outdoor barber shop but once you look a little closer, you'll realize these dozens of shaven heads and smiling faces mean way more. "Five years ago, I had my own cancer scare. I had a biopsy for what they thought would be a tumor on my thyroid," said Deanne Hodum, a participant. "Benign thank god. Five years ago, I shaved my hea. What better way to give back to the universe?"
More than 40 volunteers went bald Saturday afternoon at the Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin. Saint Baldrick's Foundation holds a signature head shaving event each year to raise money for lifesaving childhood cancer research.
"Adult cancer is very different from childhood cancer. It requires its own treatment therefore it needs it's own research," explains Phil Neff, the medical director of children's blood and cancer center at Dell Children's Medical Center.
Dell Children's Medical Center says one in five children diagnosed with cancer in the United States will not survive. Those who do survive usually suffer long-term effects from treatment too harsh for their growing bodies.
St. Baldrick's foundation is the largest private funder of childhood cancer. "There are many people here who have suffered loss in their lives that know people that have suffered loss and it's one thing to make everyone feel better about it," said Neff.
They had a goal to raise 100 thousand dollars and raised more than 64 thousand.
Still, a big win for all who attended and contributed.
If you'd like to donate to Saint Baldrick's Foundation, click here.
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