Students all around Washoe County have been shaving their heads for St. Baldrick's Shave for the Brave and the Children's Cancer Foundation for years to support finding a cure for childhood cancer.
Tiffany Kress, the community relations manager at Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation, says, "Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation, we've been partnering with the St. Baldrick's Foundation for over 21 years to help raise funds for childhood cancer research, and in those years we've raised over $4 million for childhood cancer research."
Also this week, a healthy competition was held between AACT High School and Debbie Smith CTE Academy to see who could raise the most money for the Children's Cancer Foundation.
Kress tells us a lot of kids with cancer are being treated with the same treatments from the 50s and 60s, which is a huge reason why St. Baldrick's is working to find a cure for kids with cancer.
That's why they say they hold these events near and dear, because it's kids helping other kids through hard times.
Kress says, "It's so cool for a lot of kids in our area to see kids their age fighting for them and fighting for further research so they can possibly have a cure."
They even had one student who planned the fundraiser at AACT, who has been shaving his head for cancer research for years.
"This AACT shave was actually planned by a student, Ben, who has been shaving now for 10 years, and I think it's amazing to see him return year over year to raise funds for childhood cancer research," Kress said.
Others told us they're shaving their heads because cancer has affected their loved ones.
Jose Madrid, shaving his head for the Children's Cancer Foundation, tells us his brother's story.
"A few years ago, my brother was diagnosed with colon and testicular cancer, and he lost many things," he said. He went through chemotherapy. He was in a lot of pain and a lot of anxiety, so it was a hard time."
Madrid says his brother is healthy now, but that wasn't the only time cancer touched his life. He also had a best friend who went through breast cancer.
"Because of her, I let my hair grow for about 6 years to donate my hair for a wig, and now I'm standing here supporting all those who are fighting against cancer."
Madrid adds, "Any gesture of support is worth it."
The main Shave for the Brave fundraising event is this Friday at the Reno Ballrooms, which means there's still time to sign up to shave and fundraise for the cause. Schools can also sign up to host their own Shave for the Brave fundraisers. If you're interested, you can click the link here to sign up.
A local nonprofit is inviting people to go bald and help push a fundraising milestone even higher.
