Shaker Heights Kids Shaving Heads for Kids' Cancer Research

Kids from four Shaker Heights schools will shave their heads this weekend at the annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser for kids' cancer research.

The organization fights cancer in children through funding research and medical advances, and this Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m., nearly 60 people — mostly kids — will take the leap at the Cleveland Heights Community Center.

Teams from Onaway, Fernway, Mercer and Woodbury elementary schools will be at the event.

Krissy Gallagher's son Austin was diagnosed with cancer in both kidneys when he was ten months old. Now cancer-free, he, his father and his two brothers shave their heads every year for St. Baldrick's.

Last year, Gallagher started a local fundraiser geared more toward kids than the annual head-shaving downtown after the St. Patrick's Day parade. The 49 shavees raised $38,000.

This year, Gallagher said, she wants to raisea $35,000. Several teams have signed up, and donations were at over $22,000 Monday.

So far, five girls and one woman will get bobs — instead of full shaves — courtesy of Shawn Paul Salon, and 52 others, including 44 children, will go under the clippers for a full shave from Quintana's Barber & Dream Spa.

Team Fairfax — from the elementary school — is currently in first place, with more than $8,000 raised. The team includes Austin Gallagher himself, Ben Hegyes and Remy Bourbeau from kindergarten; Spencer Imka and Kenji Sakaie from second grade; Braedan Gallagher — Austin's brother — Vince Holland, Nat Tyler, Joe McDonnell, Joey Russo and Joey Minnillo from third grade; and Sarah McDonnell from fifth grade.

Teams from Heights High and Roxboro as well as schools in Shaker Heights and Cleveland are participating.

Click here to find out how to participate or donate to the campaign.