Cuts for a cure: Local head shaving events raise funds for childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Jim Bissonnette, owner of Pete’s Barber Shop in Marquette, prepares to shave the head of Michigan State Police Trooper Alan Park during Saturday’s event to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Several local police and fire units are battling to raise the most money for the cause. Another head-shaving event is set for Wednesday with members of the Marquette City Fire Department. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police)
From left, Michigan State Police Trooper Tom Kinnunen is presented with a certificate from Tim Eagan of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation on Saturday. The nonprofit organization, which aims to “conquer childhood cancers” by raising money and awareness in order to find a cure, hosted its first annual head-shaving event at Pete’s Barber Shop in Marquette on Saturday. It has a goal of raising $10,000 to go toward childhood cancer research. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police)
In the back row, from left, Michigan State Police troopers Tom Kinnunen, Austin Wachnicki, Zachary Kiscadden and Lt. Mark Giannunzio, assistant commander at the MSP Negaunee Post, are shown after the head-shaving event for St. Baldrick’s Foundation on Saturday. In the front row from left, Pete’s Barber Shop owner Jim Bissonnette, MSP Trooper Alan Park and event organizer Tim Eagan of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation are shown. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State Police)
Jim Bissonnette, owner of Pete’s Barber Shop in Marquette, prepares to shave the head of Michigan State Police Trooper Alan Park during Saturday’s event to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Several local police and fire units are battling to raise the most money for the cause. Another head-shaving event is set for Wednesday with members of the Marquette City Fire Department. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police)
From left, Michigan State Police Trooper Tom Kinnunen is presented with a certificate from Tim Eagan of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation on Saturday. The nonprofit organization, which aims to “conquer childhood cancers” by raising money and awareness in order to find a cure, hosted its first annual head-shaving event at Pete’s Barber Shop in Marquette on Saturday. It has a goal of raising $10,000 to go toward childhood cancer research. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police)
In the back row, from left, Michigan State Police troopers Tom Kinnunen, Austin Wachnicki, Zachary Kiscadden and Lt. Mark Giannunzio, assistant commander at the MSP Negaunee Post, are shown after the head-shaving event for St. Baldrick’s Foundation on Saturday. In the front row from left, Pete’s Barber Shop owner Jim Bissonnette, MSP Trooper Alan Park and event organizer Tim Eagan of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation are shown. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State Police)
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MARQUETTE -- The St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised nearly $10,000 locally to support childhood cancer research through head-shaving events that raise funds while spreading awareness of the disease.
One event was hosted by Pete's Barber Shop and St. Baldrick's Foundation in Marquette on Saturday afternoon. It raised funds by inviting area residents to get their head shaved in support of children who are battling cancer.
Several local police and fire agencies have jumped in head first to support the cause, including the Michigan State Police, the Marquette County Sheriff's Office, Chocolay Township Police and Fire, and the Marquette Firefighters Association Local #643 union.
Troopers from the Michigan State Police Negaunee Post were working behind the scenes to raise funds before participating in Saturday's event at Pete's Barbershop.
"Troopers raised money throughout the past month for the event by taking donations at the post," officials said in an MSP news release. "Several of the troopers participated in getting their heads shaved as a sign of solidarity with the young kids suffering from cancer."
The Marquette firefighter's union currently leads local fundraising efforts with around $2,078 raised as of Monday afternoon.
Chocolay Township Police and Fire has raised over $1,219 so far. It held a head-shaving event of its own at the township offices last week.
The Marquette County Sheriff's Office has raised around $1,066 so far, while MSP has raised around $557 as of Monday afternoon.
Several other individual donors have also stepped up. According to the event page, Pete's Barber Shop owner Jim Bissonnette raised around $898 while event organizer and St. Baldrick's Foundation Knight Commander Tim Eagan raised over $3,400.
Another head shaving event is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Marquette City Fire Hall.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation, based in Monrovia, California, was founded on July 4, 1999, and is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants in the world. The nonprofit organization aims to lead the charge in "conquering kids' cancer."
Since 2005, St. Baldrick's has invested over $306 million toward children's cancer research grant funding, according to its website.
The first St. Baldrick's head-shaving event took place at a pub in the New York City borough of Manhattan, and raised $104,000 across 19 shaved heads which was donated to research conducted by the Children's Oncology Group.
For more information on the St. Baldrick's Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.stbaldricks.org.
Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.