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Braving the shave for cancer research

| 22 May 2013 | 12:14
    Photos by Ginny Raue The face says it all. Ten-year old Ryan Vetter braved the shave for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
    Photos by Ginny Raue The face says it all. Ten-year old Ryan Vetter braved the shave for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
    Kathryn Tracey is one brave woman. She braved the buzzer in memory of her dad, who was lost to cancer, and a friend who is currently in treatment. How did she feel after the buzz? "Awesome," she said. Tracey raised the most money of all the individual participants, $3,670.
    Kathryn Tracey is one brave woman. She braved the buzzer in memory of her dad, who was lost to cancer, and a friend who is currently in treatment. How did she feel after the buzz? "Awesome," she said. Tracey raised the most money of all the individual participants, $3,670.
    Mother and son team, Sal and Christine Alessio, undergo the buzzer together.
    Mother and son team, Sal and Christine Alessio, undergo the buzzer together.
    Volunteer firefighter with Co. #4, Andrew Blackwell, demonstrates hats off to going bald for the cause, in this case raising funds for childhood cancer research.
    Volunteer firefighter with Co. #4, Andrew Blackwell, demonstrates hats off to going bald for the cause, in this case raising funds for childhood cancer research.
    Those who didn't get shaved did their part in other ways. Betty Page proudly shows her support.
    Those who didn't get shaved did their part in other ways. Betty Page proudly shows her support.

By Ginny Raue
WEST MILFORD — “Bald as the bare mountain tops are bald, with a baldness full of grandeur.” Matthew Arnold.

That one sentence may best describe the 81 men, women and children who came out on Sunday to become official “shavees” for the St. Baldrick Foundation. Originated in 2000, there have been over 230,000 volunteers, joining people all over the United States and as far away as on military bases in Germany and Iraq.

Those who “brave the shave” are often emergency workers but there are also the average Joes and Janes who want to stand in union with children afflicted by cancer. Garnering pledges to lose their crowning glories, volunteers at St. Baldrick’s events raised $100 million between 2005 and 2012. West Milford’s events raised over $43,000 in their first two years and now can add another $27,140 to that total. The portal will remain open for donations for a few more weeks.

Sunday was gray and rainy but the heavy skies didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came out to the West Milford Volunteer Fire Co. #4 firehouse. The atmosphere was one of fun. There was music by the Harmony Brothers and vocals by Emma Ferony and Mayor Bettina Bieri, free ice cream and balloons, courtesy of West Milford First Aid Squad, and a great-smelling grill going all day with free hot dogs and burgers. There were vendors and raffles, face painting and an all-around good feeling of camaraderie.

The volunteer hair stylists were on their feet all day. When they called “Who’s next?” some volunteers stepped right up, but a few may have shown a bit of hesitation in their walk to the chair.

The event is headed up by Dave LeMay, representing Fire Co. #4, and Rob Kulawiak, representing the West Milford Police Department. Both men were very happy with the results of the day.

“We tried to make accommodations for the weather and we didn’t get the expected crowd, but those who came donated a lot. A lot of dads decided at the last minute to join their sons in baldness,” LeMay said.

Kulawiak was worried that the weather would dampen the drive but reported that everyone stepped up and made it a huge success.

“We are driven to do what we can to fund the research needed so that no parent ever has to loose their child to cancer,” Kulawiak said. “Until there is a cure,” he added.

To donate to the St. Baldrick Foundation, go to www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/6563/201.

For more photos by Ginny Raue, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.