Med students ‘brave the shave’ to support childhood cancer

It all began with a bet, when three guys challenged each other to shave their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research. Over $100,000 was raised in one night. That was in 2000 at a St. Patrick’s Day party held at a pub.

Locally, medical students will create third chemotherapy drug that’s come out in 20 years specifically for childhood cancer. So we actually got to see where the money goes.”

Childhood cancer is different from adult cancer, because it is not just one disease. There are more than a dozen a buzz when they “brave the shave” at the Geaux Bald event March 11 at LSU Health Shreveport. Last year’s event raised more than $35,000 for childhood cancer research. The fundraising goal this year is $40,000.

It really hit home. It made me start thinking that ‘I can either worry about it, or I can do something about it.’ It felt like the right thing to do.”

– Kristi Lofton

“Every year it gets a little bit bigger,” Katie Clark, local St. Baldrick’s chapter president and medical student at LSU Health Shreveport, said. “We are on track to hit our [fundraising] goal and probably exceed it, so it’s really exciting.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research and provides more grants than any organization, except the U.S. government. To date, over 520,000 heads have been shaved at St. Baldrick’s events, and over $178 million has been raised for research grants given to more than 350 institutions across the world.

The event is very personal to Clark, who lost a sister to neuroblastoma – a type of childhood cancer. “The St. Baldrick’s Foundation actually had an FDA approved drug (dinutuximab) come out last year that was for high-risk neuroblastoma,” she said. “It’s only the types of childhood cancer, and numerous subtypes, and each requires research to develop the best treatment.

“That’s why they have to have organization like this – to fund all the research,” Clark said.

The majority of child patients will suffer long-term effects from their cancer treatment including loss of hearing and sight, heart disease, secondary cancers, learning disabilities and infertility. This research includes prevention of and treatments for patients who are already experiencing long-term effects.

“[St. Baldrick’s] is strictly about research and finding a cure. I think that’s why a lot of med students get involved and why they brought it to our school,” Clark said. “Research is very important in furthering our understanding of childhood cancer.”

According to the St. Baldrick’s website, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. In the United States, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease.

Shreveport resident and nurse Kristi Lofton raised money for last year’s Geaux Bald event and had her head shaved. She was moved to participate after a co-worker’s son was diagnosed with cancer.

“It really hit home. It made me start thinking that ‘I can either worry about it, or I can do something about it,’” she said.

“It felt like the right thing to do.”

Lofton said her decision to shave her head impacted her husband and eldest child the most. She said it reminded them that things could change at any moment, and they did not want to lose her.

The event also inspired Lofton to change her career path, and she now works in the pediatric ICU.

Harry Hawthorne, local St. Baldrick’s chapter vice president and medical student at LSU Health Shreveport, plans to get his head shaved again this year. “I had a lot of fun doing it [last year], and it was cool to see the effect it had on the local community – especially with the patient population,” he said. “You see one person shaved their head – OK. You see 10 or 15 people in one day, you’re going to start asking around. It gets people asking questions, and that’s the main thing.”

Avalon Hair Salon of Shreveport will perform the head shaves at Geaux Bald.

hairstylist Kim Weaver is excited to cut hair at the event. “We all know someone who has been affected by childhood cancer, and to be a part of people who are selflessly giving up their hair for a good cause. It’s nice to be part of a selfless act.”

Nearly 50 people have pledged to have their heads shaved at this year’s event, including five female medical students.

“You will have medical students walking into class with bald heads or walking the floors of the hospital. It gets a conversation started,” Clark said.

“Every medical school class that’s in right now has participated. I think that’s pretty unique.”

–Melissa Airhart

WANT TO GO?

Geaux Bald will take place from noon to 5 p.m. March 11 in the LSU Health Shreveport BRI Atrium. Donations can be made online at stbaldricks.org/ events/LSU2016 or by calling (888) 899-2253.