LA GRANGE — Gwen Smith made a brave decision to lose her dark, curly hair.
After watching her three teenage children have their locks shaved off to support childhood cancer research last year, the La Grange Elementary School teacher decided to bring the cause to her school.
Seven fearless people — including five teachers — illustrated their support for the cause Monday afternoon before a La Grange Elementary crowd of teachers, students, parents — and two stylists with clippers.
Since the March kick off, the school has raised more than $1,500 for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research.
“The kids know that we’re doing this to raise money to help kids who are sick,” Smith said.“They were donating pennies and change knowing that we were going to get our heads shaved to show what it’s like when kids are sick with cancer. They often lose their hair, and they don’t have a choice.
“We do have a choice.”
The schoolassembled in the La Grange Elementary gym nearly an hour before dismissal, with children cheering on their teachers as they sat in the “barber’s chair” opting to shave off their hair.
“It’s actually really interesting because they’re allowing them to shave their heads,” said fifth-grader, Mackenzie Gilbert, 10, who understood the cause and would even participate if her mom allowed her to. “They actually grew their hair for a reason and now they’re letting it go.”
In attendance was a community member who lost her hair as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February.
Amy Aldridge sported a blond wig to the event and removed it to show the children her head.
“At first, I was scared to lose my hair,” she said. “But now that I’ve lost it, I don’t know what I was afraid of. … I’m not scared of it anymore; it’s all in how you look at it.”
Aldridge, 40, lost her father to cancer in August and her mother also had breast cancer, so she knew she was more susceptible to it than most people.
“I’m an adult, and when you’re diagnosed, it’s life-changing,” she said. “I could not imagine what it would be like for a child who is scared, and especially for a parent who is scared.”
She said she was overwhelmed that people shaved their heads to relate to cancer patients; and a member of her church, Lucy Elmore, shaved her head Monday to support Aldridge.
“It is wonderful,” she said. “I’m very appreciative of everything that La Grange Elementary has done and that the community has done. They are really heroes for doing this.”
Smith said more funds are expected to flow in before the school sends the pot to St. Baldrick’s. According to the foundation’s website, $103 million in grants have gone to childhood cancer research since 2005.
Monday went down in the books as a day the 630 La Grange Elementary students wouldn’t forget, as several staff members chronicled the head shavings with iPads, including Principal Kristie Brennan.
“I think they’re excited to see that it’s not hurting anyone, and some of their favorite teachers are actually having fun with this,” she said of the pre-k through fifth-grades group. “I think the older ones obviously understand it at a deeper level, but I do think that even the little ones can understand that people are giving something and sacrificing to help other people.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
BREAKOUT BOX:
For more information on St. Baldrick’s, visit stbaldricks.org