Photos: Cuts for a Cause
Cheers mixed with tears on Sunday, March 26, at the Westmere firehouse as over 90 people had their heads shaved at the annual St. Baldrick’s event to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Albany Medical Center nurses, doctors, and staff join with community residents to shave their heads to raise awareness about and money to fight childhood cancer through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
A parade for children fighting cancer started the event as 24 fire trucks — from Guilderland, the Hilltowns, Bethlehem, and Colonie — led by Guilderland police traveled from Crossgates Mall to the Westmere firehouse, transporting the kids and their parents. They stepped from the fire trucks onto a red carpet, flanked by two lines of people, cheering for them. A shy girl dressed in a pink tutu and gold cape gets plenty of applause as she grips her mother’s hand to walk from the fire truck.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
A heroes welcom: Another cancer survivor smiles sweetly, enjoying being the center of attention as cheers and high fives greet her.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
After a brief ceremony honoring the young cancer survivors, each got a gold medal, bottom left, presented by Holly Fortin, a nurse at the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center in Albany. Then the cutting began.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
One of the first six people to fill the barber’s chairs for a shave, the girl at top remained resolute as her hair was shorn. The shaving was done by staff from Scissors III & Company. Over $12,000 in donations was raised on Sunday at the firehouse, added to $53,092 in online donations.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Heroes helping heroes: A little boy who survived cancer gets off a fire truck with the help of two Westmere firefighters so he can walk on the red carpet to the Westmere firehouse as two long lines of onlookers cheer for him.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Sticking together: Two little girls, both battling cancer, hold hands as they are honored as heroes on Sunday afternoon before the start of St. Baldrick’s fundraising event at the Westmere firehouse.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Shaving with a smile: After battling cancer, Markel Carras, left, shaves a head during the annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser event at Westmere Fire Department on Sunday afternoon in Guilderland.