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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- The first ever St. Baldrick's head-shaving event at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady goes off without a hitch.
More than 100 people signed up to lose their locks in the fundraiser Saturday. It raised money for pediatric cancer research while showing solidarity with those suffering from the disease.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a national charity. It's raised more than $78 million for cancer research since 2005. Event organizers Mike and Stacy DeBritz first heard of St. Baldrick's through Albany Med. Their daughter Audrey was diagnosed with leukemia in 2009. She's been out of treatment for over a year.
For her parents, getting involved with the local chapter of St. Baldrick's is their way of forming a community for those going through what they had to endure not long ago.
Mike DeBritz said, “Since we're on the outside of treatment, it's really key, we got exposed to it and really want to help others. A couple families came and their kids are still in it, and they wrote me and said thanks for doing this. And that made me feel good. We like to do this, the community has really embraced us and helped us in so many ways. The people at Albany Med, who actually receive money from St. Baldrick's are really awesome and an incredible group of doctors and nurses down there."
DeBritz said so far, Saturday's event has brought in about $45,000, superseding the original goal of $25,000.