Kids cancer fundraiser a close shave

According to the Rocky Mountain News the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is issuing a "Be Brave, Get Bald" challenge featuring head-shaving events to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

The Denver event is at Fado’s Irish Pub, 1835 19th St., on Friday from 6 a.m. to noon and is one of 300 head-shaving fundraisers being held nationwide this year.

St. Baldrick’s began in 2000 when three executives from New York City turned their St. Patrick’s Day party into a fundraiser by shaving their heads in an act of solidarity to children with cancer. They combined "Patrick" and "bald" to form "Baldrick."

It has grown into the world’s largest fundraising event for childhood cancer, so far having raised more than $20 million. Worldwide, 160,000 youngsters are diagnosed with cancer each year making it the No. 1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada.

All of the foundation’s donations are generated by "shavees," organizers, volunteers, staff and board members. None comes from government grants or through mass mailings or telemarketing.

Visit the foundation at www.GuideStar.org or call 888-899-BALD.