Local residents Braved the Shave recently at the 10th annual fundraising event at the Capt. Hiram’s Sandbar to benefit the worldwide St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which has granted more than $314 million toward pediatric cancer research.
Brave the Shave events evolved from a St. Patrick’s Day dare 22 years ago, when a group of friends in New York shaved their heads to raise money and awareness about pediatric cancer.
Shavees held fast through the pandemic, no matter the restrictions, according to Frank Mannino, an 18-year ‘shavee’ and organizer of the local, all-volunteer fundraiser.
This year, 50 shavees raised more than $70,000, “bringing us to $1.2 million and 550 shaves in 10 years in Indian River County,” said Mannino, adding that he was proud of the generosity and kindness of people in the community.
An emotional Mannino shared that Vincent Saputo, who had been at the inaugural local event 10 years ago while undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, and his mother Laura Saputo were in the crowd.
“Vincent is cancer-free, and he came today to tell other children who may be suffering from cancer, ‘It’s going to be OK. There is hope. You can be cured.’ He is a tremendous ambassador for the cause,” said Mannino.
“We continue to do this because kids are still suffering from cancer. Every two minutes, a child is diagnosed worldwide with cancer. Until there’s a cure, we will keep doing this.”
Mannino noted that Team Live Out Loud, who have shaved as a team for 10 years, raised the most money this year, $21,948.
The volunteer barbers brought out the big shears for Nicholas Mahoney, who shaved alongside his son Maximus, and Nancy McCurry had her lovely locks shorn as well. The barbers paused half-way during those shavings, so the shavees could pump the crowd for additional funds before barbers finished the job.
Event emcee Jose Rubio kept things lively as he auctioned off artwork donated by local artists and elicited a bidding frenzy over a variety of power tools.
Capt. Hiram’s donates $1 for every Capt’s Crush purchased during March, and several staff members took a break from work to have their heads shaved as well.
Treasure Coast Elementary students donated $1 to cast a vote to have the heads shaved of either principal Scott Simpson, teacher Paul Guerrero or Indian River County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Dep. Andrew Sebris. After the students raised $1,000, all three volunteers decided to ‘brave the shave.’ They were joined by a student whose perfect FSA score had earned him the right.
“The American Cancer Society and St. Baldrick’s have teamed up to raise money for childhood cancer research,” said Mannino. Referencing this year’s Relay for Life Event, he added, “This year, they will have a Gold Team the color of childhood cancer. All the money raised from that Gold Team will go directly to childhood cancer research.”
The American Cancer Society attributes cancer as the leading disease-related cause of death for children ages 1 to 19.
For more information, visit StBaldricks.org or RelayForLife.org/IndianRiverFl.
Photos by Kaila Jones
