The Sand Bar at Capt. Hiram’s in Sebastian was rockin’ last Saturday as a huge multi-generational crowd gathered for the annual St. Baldrick’s Brave the Shave, a light-hearted event with a deeply serious purpose – funding children’s cancer research. Making sure everything ran smoothly were event co-chairs Missy Elward and Frank Mannino and their team of volunteers.
All day long, with their friends and family cheering them on, 125-plus “shavees” mounted the Sandbar Stage to be divested of their hair. They laughed, sniffled, cringed, held their breath and shut their eyes as volunteer shavers zipped through their hair like a combine through corn, with results worthy of Army boot camp.
The enthusiasm didn’t dampen a bit when the rain began – folks just popped umbrellas and kept on cheering. By midday the amount raised was in excess of $127,000, toward the 2016 local goal of $200,000.
As Sebastian Police Officer – and SPD Team Captain – Steve Marcenik waited his turn to lose the rest of his already buzz-cut locks, Police Chief Michelle Morris said her officers also volunteered to raise money for St. Baldrick’s during the year with a Beard Fundraiser, each donating $25 a month to be allowed to wear beards in uniform.
Capt. Hiram’s president Will Collins, whose longish locks had already bit the dust, paused long enough to declare, “This is my annual haircut! This event is awesome; we’re honored to have it here.” He gave a shout-out to prep cook Liz Rios, explaining that when she learned about the event that morning, she “got caught up in it and just did it! Now she’s bald.” Moments later Rios walked past in her cute new do, flashing a terrific smile and a big thumbs up.
Christian Talmadge and sons Cullen, 6, and Jackson, 11, stood near the stage taking pictures, the boys sporting brand new haircuts and lookin’ good! The event has special meaning for their mother, who has battled cancer and is now cancer free. “I had to tell my Dad that I had cancer,” she said, now determined to do what she can so other parents, someday, won’t have to hear those words about their own children.
Very special recognition was given to the guests of honor – children who are battling cancer. Hair loss is a common and traumatic side effect of many powerful cancer drugs, and at 9,000 events annually all across the country, family, friends and classmates of young cancer patients shave their heads in solidarity with their loved ones.
The cause holds a special place in the hearts of Cara and Rob Pettit, whose little daughter, Maya, died of a rare form of leukemia Nov. 19, 2003, after a two-year fight. Maya’s mom said that during her battle they talked about the good that could come from her journey. Once she was well, Maya had planned to visit other kids with cancer and bring them toys to brighten their days.
While Maya did not get to carry out her wish, her parents founded the nonprofit Maya Matters in 2009. Through links with hospitals, they help families with financial assistance and by fulfilling requests for toys, books and DVDs so children with cancer can have some normalcy and fun. Their sixth annual Help Kids Kick Cancer Superhero 5K is slated for April 23 in Vero’s South Beach Park. Visit MayaMatters.org for more information.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that, according to its official website, funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.
