Student Shaves Head for Cancer Fundraiser

A fourth-grader at shaved his head Sunday as part of a fundraiser to help those undergoing cancer treatment.

Students at Windsor Farm raised $2,651.85 towards cancer research after 10-year-old Billy Edwards promised to shave his head if they met a fundraising goal. They exceeded the goal by more than $1,000. Beyond that, Billy raised $2,695 through an online fundraising site, for a total of more than $5,300.

The shaving fundraiser took place at  in Arnold on Sunday. More than 60 signed up to shave their heads at the event. The funds raised go towards the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding research for childhood cancer, according to the organization's website. 

The faculty made the fundraiser a school-wide event—anyone who chipped in $1 or more could wear pajamas to school on Friday. It was a huge success, Principal Jason Otte said.

This is the third time Billy has gone through the shaving ordeal, but it's the largest amount he's ever raised. On Sunday, a few moments before his shaggy brown hair would be on the ground, he appeared to be very modest about the whole affair.

"Well, without all this hair, it will be really cold," he said. "It doesn't hurt, but it feels a little weird."

Billy's mom, Maggie, said she was surprised by the outpouring of support from students and faculty.

"The amazing thing was the amount of kids that wanted to go into their own wallets and take money out," she said. "Kids who got birthday money and wanted to share. We did not expect the amount of money they were able to raise at all. The community at Windsor Farm is unbelievable."

One of the stars of the event was a sixth-grader at who is coping with cancer. Joey was a former student at Windsor Farm and his sister is a friend and classmate of Billy's.

Head shaving has become the trademark fundraising technique for St. Baldrick's since the foundation began in 2000. It's been a tradition at for the past four years, and more than a hundred people have participated in the event since then.

For more information on St. Baldrick's Foundation, visit their website that includes photos and testimonies from hundreds of head-shavers.