Initially, the idea came from a small St. Patrick's Day event, where reinsurance executives John Bender, Tim Kenny and Enda McDonnell dared 20 friends to shave their heads for child cancer research. That was in 2010. Today, St. Baldrick's has grown into the largest volunteer-driven fund raising organization for child cancer researching the nation. At St. Baldrick's events, volunteers agree to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer that must go through chemo and lose their hair in their effort to ward off the often deadly disease.
So far, the organization has raised over $117 million in their quest to eradicate cancer in children. A year ago, My Teen Topix contributor, Oliver Peake was strolling on the Santa Monica Promenade, when he saw his first St. Baldrick's shaving. He immediately volunteered his head and raised about $300 on the spot.
Despite some teasing at school, when St. Baldrick's announced that they were returning to the Promenade this year, Oliver quickly volunteered and enlisted the help of the OneHOPE Foundation. OneHOPE added Oliver's campaign to its website and within a short time, Oliver was able to raise over $3,000 for Baldrick's with a promise to shave his head in September.
In the period between now and his previous scalping, Oliver has grown quite a large "fro" of curly locks. Oliver had some trepidation about losing his handsome head of hair, but in the end he was quoted as saying. "St. Baldrick's needs some dough for my fro."
The Baldrick's event also featured Max Varady, a close friend and classmate of Oliver, who wanted to support his buddy by shaving his hair as well. The Santa Monica Fire Department and a number of volunteers came out in force and all had their heads shaven as for the cause.
My Teen Topix tips it hat to all those who volunteered for a balding, contributed money, or just showed up to support the cause.
The Santa Monica Fire Department shows up in their hi-tech fire engine
Firemen begin to decorate their truck
Balloons placed in strategic places on the top of the engine
The Firemen line up for some voluntary male hair loss
British actor, Tom Payne of HBO's new series Luck came for support
Ebe Sievwright, polo instructor to Britain's Royal Family and
star of the upcoming Zach, Alison, and Many More came to watch
watch his co-star Oliver shave his head
My Teen Topix favorite, Sammie Jay came to support Oliver as well
Oliver wrestles his friend Max for a last chance to use his fro comb
Oliver's Mom, peakPRgroup CEO Christine Peake
T-shirts for the event were beautifully designed works of art
A fireman worked as Emcee to stir the crowd into opening their
wallets.
Green hats were passed through the crowd for donations
The first volunteer, Mike spent three years growing his long hair, just
to shave it all off for child cancer research
Going, going...
...gone, but for a great cause
Jake Kloberdanz, CEO of the OneHope Foundation
Jake Kloberdanz of the OneHope Foundation presents Oliver Peake
with a certificate for his fund raising effort for St. Baldrick's
Proud Mom, Christine Peake of the peakPRgroup, poses with her son before
his head shaving
Oliver prepping for the $3,300 haircut. Remember, John Edwards' notorious
haircut was only $1250.
Oliver's no. 1 pal, Max Varady steps up to support his friend by making
the ultimate sacrifice in hair
Last chance, but no change of commitment
Oliver as Robin of Locks-ly
Oliver goes from 12 years old..
...to an older balding man of 60 in 60 seconds
Max isn't far behind
Then comes the right side
The curls are shaven ...
... and hit the ground ...
... and mom Christine Peake picks them up, as Jake Kloberdanz looks on..
... finally shedding some crocodile tears over her boys lost fro...
... but really profoundly proud of her son
Vidal Sassoon Academy student Erik Sherman
puts the final touches on Oliver Peake's bald head...
... as Max Varady gets the final clean up.
There's that little spot in the back and then ....
... the guys are done. Two boys become men for their
support of a great cause.
Jake Kloberdanz congratulates Oliver Peake and Max Varady
on a noble sacrifice for charity
Christine Peake joins Jake Kloberdanz in congratulating the hairless heroes. Chris looks
a little proud, don't you think?
Bald is beautiful
A thumbs up from Max for St. Baldricks' from Max Varady
Another proud mom hugs her son
Oliver ends the day with a handsome bald and a proud heart
After a great day for St. Baldrick's, Oliver keeps his head warm with a cap,
leaves knowing that he has made a difference for kids with cancer.
A video of the event
photos by Allan Peach ©2011
video by Kandi Rehard
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