Rockville Centre Gets Ready To Brave The Shave

Next weekend, after the St. Patrick's Parade is done marching through the streets of Rockville Centre, people are going to go bald.

March 25 is the 25th annual Rockville Centre St. Baldrick's Shave. The yearly event, always following the St. Patrick's Parade, is a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which donates money to research cures for childhood cancer. Participants raise money for the charity and then get their heads shaved in solidarity with kids fighting cancer.

The shave will be held at the St. Agnes Parish Center, located at 29 Quealy Place, from 1 to 5 p.m. In addition to the head shaving, the event features live music from the Witches Brew Band, free food from local restaurants, kids' entertainment, a bake sale, raffles of sports memorabilia and much more.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation was created in 1999, in part by Rockville Centre resident John Bender. Since its inception, the foundation has donated millions to juvenile cancer research. It is now second only to the U.S. government in funding research into childhood cancer.

"Until cures for all childhood cancers are found and long-term side effects of treatments are nonexistent, St. Baldrick’s volunteers will keep shaving in solidarity, increasing awareness and raising funds for childhood cancer research," Bender said. "Rockville Centre St. Baldricks’s welcomes anyone to sign up to shave, and all to come and cheer on shavees as they brave the shave to save lives on Saturday, March 25."

Last year's shave in Rockville Centre drew more than 200 participants and raised more than $270,000. More than 100 people are signed up for the shave so far this year, and there's still time to participate. Just go to the St. Baldrick's website and sign up to start fundraising. Men and women of all ages have had their heads shaved. Many women have also had long hair cut to be donated to make wigs for cancer patients.

Photos: St. Baldrick's Foundation