Keith Kemo and Dr. Michael McCue participate in the 2009 St. Baldrick's event, held March 14, 2009 at Amalfi's Pizzeria and Restaurant in Lawrence. (Photo courtesy of Michael Mccue.)

While browsing the Internet a few years ago, Dr. Michael McCue read about a foundation that raises money for pediatric cancer research. He was struck by the organization’s novel approach: instead of participating in a walk or run, contestants are sponsored to shave their heads.

The goal is to support cancer patients who may lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy treatments, while raising money to fund research.

The event is all about solidarity; a sense of solidarity so strong that it transcends much else.

This year, it will transcend distance when Sam Hayes, 8, plans to participate in honor of Brooke Mulford, a 5-year-old girl from Salisbury, Md., that he has never met. In January 2009, Mulford was diagnosed with stage IV high-risk neuroblastoma, and has been undergoing treatments at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Brooke’s parents, Amy and Rob, are originally from New Jersey, and Amy is close friends with Sam’s mother, Maureen.

Maureen says that when an event like St. Baldrick’s was mentioned in conversation, Sam asked to participate because he wanted to help children who are battling cancer.

“We are touched beyond words that Sam has chosen to honor Brooke by shaving his head to raise money for pediatric cancer research,” Amy Mulford wrote via e-mail.

In 2008, the first year the event was held locally, the sense of solidarity transcended time. McCue tells the story of a nurse who had her head shaved in honor of a former patient who passed away in the 1980s.

In that case, it also transcended gender. McCue says there have been two female participants in first two years of the event. The other was a young girl who decided to participate along with her father and brother.

Since the foundation was established in 2000, St. Baldrick’s events have been held in all 50 states and 24 different countries.

Worldwide, participants have raised more than $68 million for cancer research, according to the foundation’s official Web site.

This is the third year the event will be held locally. Participants from the first two years raised more than $50,000 for cancer research. Each year, a leader board displays the individuals and teams with the highest totals, McCue said.

This year’s event is scheduled to be held Saturday, March 13 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Amalfi’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Lawrenceville. McCue said anyone interested in participating can get involved right up to the day of the event and can continue raising money throughout the year.

This year’s group of scheduled participants is proving that solidarity in the fight against pediatric cancer also transcends age.

Those scheduled to participate already include at least three students from Lawrence Elementary School, four from the Intermediate School and one from Ben Franklin School.

The event also transcends generations. The McCue family, among others, will have two generations of participants. Tyler McCue, 8, first participated last year. He said he is looking forward to this year’s event, when he will serve as captain of the Lawrence Elementary School team.

“I have my own team from my school,” he said with a sense of pride.

One member of that team is Jeffrey Berry, a kindergarten teacher from the school.

Berry participated for the first time last year, and raised more than $3,000. He said the atmosphere at the event was festive.
“I think it’s a great cause, and we have some kids who are doing it this year, which is going to be cool,” he said.

Berry said participation in events such as St. Baldrick’s reflects the school’s focus on showing good character.

Chris Turnbull, principal of the fourth grade at Lawrence Intermediate School, agrees that the event is a good way to raise awareness, as well as funds.

He said he plans to share information about the event with his students during their Monday morning meetings.

“The students in our school have been so empathetic and so receptive, and every time there’s been an awareness campaign, the students are so caring,” Turnbull said. “It amazes me, and a lot of times, I think we underestimate young people, in this town and beyond, in the things that they’re capable of doing and the awareness that they’re capable of developing.”

Turnbull, who is participating for the first time this year, will be joined on the LIS team by at least four students.

“It sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun. I haven’t participated before, but it sounds like it’s going to be a really fun day to just be there and be part of it all,” he said.

For more information about the St. Baldrick’s foundation and upcoming events, visit stbaldricks.org.