Head-shaving event supports kids with cancer, St. Baldrick's charity
Glenn Rengers needs a haircut — badly.
His locks have been growing out of control for months, the messier the better.
He's been doing this to be ready for a big event on Sept. 22 at his business, Salon Vivace in Mt. Lebanon. That's when the strands will be gone in a few minutes once former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier takes a pair of clippers to Rengers' head.
It's all part of an event to raise money for St. Baldrick's, a volunteer-powered charity committed to funding research on childhood cancers. More children in the United States die from cancer than any other disease; before they turn 20, about 1 in 285 children nationwide will have cancer, according to the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
“My hair hasn't been this long since high school,” Rengers says. “It's a mess, so I am looking forward to getting it cut.”
The idea to do the fundraiser came about when Rengers mentioned how long his hair was getting and how if he was a celebrity — like former Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel, whose Shear Da Beard event raises funds for Children's Hospital — he could use his hair to help someone. As he was talking, stylist Jennifer Jackson suggested he keep growing his hair and then hold a charity buzz-off for St. Baldrick's.
“It is such a great cause,” says Rengers. “We want as many people as possible to know about it.”
Earlier this month on Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day, the Pirates hosted “Pirates Head Shaving” event and invited 25 children affected by cancer to the ballpark.
Coaches Nick Leyva, Jeff Livesey, Euclides Rojas and Herberto Andrade and players Chris Stewart, Tony Watson, Jared Hughes and Starling Marte chose to have their heads shaved by the children to raise money for St. Baldrick's. The nonprofit organization then gives grants to places such as hospitals and medical research facilities that focus on children's cancers.
Eliminating childhood cancer is a goal of Sam Kane, a Mt. Lebanon native, who is the local event representative for St Baldrick's. His best friend, Ty Shields, died of leukemia when he was 19 years old. Kane is the planner of an annual head-shaving event on the day of the city's St. Patrick's Day parade — next year on March 11 at Claddagh Irish Pub in SouthSide Works.
“It's a perfect day because we get a lot of walk-up traffic,” Kane says.
He had his head shaved nine years ago and decided to take over the event.
“It is so important to raise money for St. Baldrick's because of what they do,” Kane says. “Seeing what these children go through just breaks your heart. They shouldn't have to go through such suffering.”
Rengers' client Rocky Bleier will do the honors of buzzing Rengers' head at 7 p.m. Sept. 22. Others can get their heads shaved for a $10 suggested donation, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Rengers' salon. Call ahead to reserve a time slot. The cost for the head shave and a photo with Bleier, who is bringing his Super Bowl rings, is $25.
“The Mt. Lebanon community has been great wanting to be a part of this,” Jackson says. “We have great silent- auction items and food. It's going to be a great evening to be a part of, and raising money for these children is the most important part.”
In 1999, Tim Kenny issued a challenge to two colleagues to shave their heads in support of children who lose their hair during cancer treatment and to raise funds for kids with cancer. The first St. Baldrick's event was held on St. Patrick's Day in 2000 at Jim Brady's pub in Manhattan. It raised $104,000, which was donated to fund research at the Children's Oncology Group.
Since 2005, St. Baldrick's has funded more than $200 million in childhood-cancer research grants.
There are many ways to get involved such as organizing a fundraiser, shaving your head, becoming a corporate partner, spreading the word, making a donation or becoming an advocate, says Traci Shirk, director, media and storytelling for St. Baldrick's Foundation, based in Monrovia, Calif.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-320-7889 or jharrop@tribweb.com.
