A great cause & touching symbolism

Looking through my shots for a bit of photojournalism to share with you, I came upon some work from back in March I thought you might appreciate. Each year I document an event called St. Baldrick's, an annual fund raising event for the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. The participants, young and old, male and female alike, volunteer to shave their heads in return for donations to the NCCF. These "shavees" do more than generate pledges and contribute to the playful atmosphere of an otherwise somber subject. Their shaved heads show solidarity with the children afflicted with cancer who often loose their own hair during treatment. Originating in the United States, St. Baldrick's is held close to St. Patrick's Day, often in America's Irish Pubs.
These shots are from the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, Virginia. In the last shot a father hugs his teenaged daughter during the applause immediately after her head was shaved. Close friends of theirs had recently lost their only child to a brain tumor.
http://www.stbaldricks.org/



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All shots were made with a D2H, SB-800 & 17-35 f/2.8 or 12-24 f/4DX.

 

get involved

Hi Gordon,

In case you'd like to learn more about St Baldrick's, visit; http://www.stbaldricks.org

I know the people who organize the St Baldrick's event above and have met the people from the NCCF HQ in Bethesda. They seem like sincere, honest people who really want to help the kids. And I'm sure they could use some help in St. George if you want to get more involved.