Residents Cut Their Hair for Cancer Research

Hundreds of residents crowded into downtown Saturday afternoon to watch local bankers, businessmen, public officials, firemen, policemen and other community leaders get their heads shaven to raise money for cancer research.

In all, more than six dozen got a chance to see what they look like bald, in solidarity with those fighting the dreaded disease.

The event blew past its goal of $25,000 before the first hair hit the ground, and organizers quickly adjusted their expectations to upwards of $40,000.

"What a great event," said Fire Chief Lee Barbee as he watched fireman after fireman lose their hair. "We're not exactly sure how much money will come in, but it's looking good."

Perhaps the biggest commotion occurred when Town Councilman Bob Satterfield took his seat in the barber chair. The Councilman had promised to shave his trademark mustache if donations in his name topped the $1,000 mark, which happened in less than a day once word got out. The crowds rushed in to see his hair go, then moved in even closer with cameras flashing as the facial hair went away, too.

"I don't mind my hair so much, but I've had this mustache for 35 years," Satterfield said. "I feel naked--totally naked."

The cameras flashed, too, when Betsy Grannis, a local civic leader and wife of Councilman Michael Grannis, moved up on stage to get her hair cut off. The crowd clapped and cheered with every swipe of the shears. Afterwards, she vowed to attend community events and carry out her daily activities without covering up her newly-bald head.

"I'll wear hats and scarves when I need to to keep warm, but it's just hair," she said. "It'll grow back."

Her husband, who helped raise additional money this year with a raffle, was one of the first to get his head shaved last year in the first St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser here.

The event, which drew huge crowds both years, is the idea of local businessman Rob Baker, whose son Bo was diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer. He said being thrust into the world of cancer treatment and research "has been quite an eye opener" and led him to take more of an active role in helping children stricken with the disease.

St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family. In the last 10 years, events have taken place in all 50 states and in 28 countries around the world, raising over $87 million for research, and shaving more than 144,000 heads, including nearly 200 in Clayton.

Residents can visit the St. Baldrick's Foundation website at www.stbaldricks.org/events/flipside for more information and to join the thousands who will be donating.