St. Baldricks
North Canton Racquet Club Event
We are honored to have been asked to photograph the St. Baldricks event at the North Canton Racquet Club for the past 3 years. The privilege we have to capture these moments of vulnerability is so humbling. People of all colors, shapes and hair length gather together to shave in honor of kids with cancer. Here are some facts straight from the St. Baldricks website:
“More children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease—in fact, more than many other childhood diseases combined.”
“Before they turn 20, about 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will have cancer.”
“Worldwide, a child is diagnosed every 2 minutes.”
I keep typing, deleting, typing and deleting. It’s hard to talk about cancer, especially when it effects a child. Agape has lost family members to cancer and seeing the effect it has on family is devastating. The feeling of helplessness and hopelessness is almost always the main emotion. But at St. Baldricks, it’s nothing but happiness, and support. The looks we see on all of the faces in support of these kids, just puts joy on our faces. The emotion that outpours from every single look of fear from the razor chopping off their hair, to the look of happiness and freedom whenever they see themselves in the mirror, bald.
Sure, you see a thousand little kids with bald heads and you may think, hmm. But trust me, if I was struggling with cancer as a child and my best friends shaved their heads for me, it would mean the absolute world. It’s so awesome to see family members shave together. I’ve seen so many father and son’s getting up there and getting shaved while holding each other’s hands in support of their other family member.
We hope that we get the opportunity to keep photographing St. Baldricks because honestly, we need it. We need the positivity, the uplifting support, the love that we get to witness. Sure we get to experience that at weddings, but that’s happy in the moment love with hints of Agape love. What we witness at these events is true Agape love. The pure, willful, sacrificial, unconditional love that intentionally desires the good of others. The love to shave off what others (like myself) deem as a security blanket, is hardcore.
So coming from the St. Baldricks website again, here is three reasons why you should become a shavee:
- BE A HERO
When you sit in the barber’s chair and put on that cape, you transform into a hero for kids with cancer. As a shavee, you’re not only raising funds researchers depend on to cure childhood cancer—you’re also spreading awareness every time you show off your bald head. -
HAVE FUN
Fun always takes center stage at these events. (Even when there are tears!) Expect hugs, high fives and some cool swag. -
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your commitment to shave for the cause raises more than funds and awareness—it shows kids who lost their hair during treatment that you support them, and it brings hope to their families and friends.
So, like the clickbait title says, I bet you wouldn’t shave your head, but I really hope you do. The facts on the website say it all. The funding they get from these events have made a difference and continue to make a difference. So please, donate, shave, and support.
Planning an event and need it photographed? Or just in need of some rad photographers to grab some slices with and hang? Maybe even some charcuterie (we lova da cheese)? Shoot us a message and talk to our cats (aka the office administrators) for information!