Heads are shaved in South Lake Tahoe to raise money to fight childhood cancer

One by one they lined up. Boys and girls, men and women, families, fire fighters, ski patrol, students and dozens of others all lined up at Heavenly Mountain Resort Friday night to have their heads shaved, all in the name of children's cancer research. 110 people in total stopped by to "Brave the Shave" and raise funds to support research of childhood cancer.

Sierra House Elementary School was represented by teachers and students, all who will be returning to school on Monday with a freshly shaved head. 23 team members from the South Lake Tahoe school has raised $5,562.51 as of the start of Friday's shave, leading the other 13 teams involved in the event. Close behind was Team Caitlyn, captained by her mom Jennifer Drennan. They had raised $5,360 before heads were shaved. Team Heavenly Mountain Ski Patrol were in third at the time of shaving with donations totaling $5,010.01.

Money was still be turned in at the event and donations will be accepted through July, so the grand total will not be available until then.

"We've very thankful for Heavenly and for everyone who is participating," said Debbie Strickland, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation, organizer of Friday's event.

Heavenly not only donated the space, they donated 100 percent of all sales at the bar during the evening.

Ten local hairdressers donated their time to shave all of the heads. Groups of eight hit the stage, losing their hair in front of family and friends with cameras from every corner recording the action.

"This is an amazing community," said Strickland. "Everyone wants to help and donate, its phenomenal!"

Several parents and their children took part, including Ryan and Gage Werick. Dad Ryan works at Heavenly and has participated in "Brave the Shave" before. Son Gage took part this year, growing out his hair all year long so he could not only have fun in the event, but donate his hair for kid's wigs. Mom Sarah was on hand to support her men.

The "Brave the Shave" event for the St. Baldricks Foundation, has been held in South Lake Tahoe for six years, in Northern Nevada for 12 years.

About halfway into the evening over $55,000 had been raised according to Strickland.

She started the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation with a friend in 2004 when they found out there was no such organization in the area to help victims and their families with assistance for medical copays, mortgage or rent, travel for treatment, household utilities so healing and beating cancer could be their focus.

To donate to St. Baldrick's Brave the Shave, visit their website at www.stbaldricks.org/events/Heavenly.