SEBASTIAN – Freshly shorn hair flew through the air along the Indian River Lagoon Sunday at the Tiki Bar and Grill in Sebastian as nearly a dozen people went bald in solidarity with pediatric cancer patients.
The “solidarity shave” as St. Baldrick’s Foundation organizers call it was one of the first events to mark this year’s fund-raising efforts to bolster research funding for pediatric cancers.
“I’m dedicating my bald head to him,” Tiki Bar co-owner Chris Pinson said of 4-year-old Dominic Neumann, who has Leukemia. Dominic is the child of one of Pinson’s friends.
Tiki Bar and Grill participated in the St. Baldrick’s shave event two years ago and Pinson said after taking last year off due to other charity engagements, they wanted to come back.
“I try everything at least once,” he said – in this case, it’s twice.
Among those who braved the shave Sunday was Evelyn Pappas, of Sebastian, a cancer survivor herself.
“The kids are everything,” she said. “One person can help make a difference.”
Pappas happened to be at the Tiki when co-owner Dawn Biehl starting getting things ready for the solidarity shave event. When Pappas asked what the items were for, Biehl told her.
Without hesitation, Pappas said, “I’ll do it!” she recalled.
“It’s just hair,” she said. “I’m not trying to prove anything.”
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was created in 2000 by a small group of people in New York who wanted to help supplement the funds put toward pediatric cancer research. Approximately 4 percent of cancer research funds is put toward pediatric illnesses, according to St. Baldrick’s website.
Statistics show that worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes; one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive.
As of 2014, the organization has raised nearly $39 million. This year alone, more than $3.7 million has been raised nationwide.
For Indian River County, the goal is $100,000 – the 22 currently registered teams have raised approximately $14,000. But there’s more time.
The main event will be held at Capt. Hiram’s Resort in Sebastian on March 21. More teams and participants are encouraged to sign up.
There will also be a red carpet gala and auction event on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Oak Harbor, 4755 S. Harbor Dr., Vero Beach. Tickets are still available for $100 per couple and $55 for singles. They can be purchased HERE.
For more information about St. Baldrick’s, visit www.stbaldricks.org – or for team information, visit www.stbaldricks.org/events/indianriver2015.
