Arcadia Firefighters and Police among 200 who shave heads for Childhood Cancer Research Wednesday

Brad Haney – Photo by Terry Miller

Brad Haney, one of Arcadia Fire Department’s newest  firefighters get his head shaved in solidarity with those stricken with cancer at the annual St. Baldrick’s Day at Matt Denny’s Pub in Arcadia Wednesday night. The 13^th annual event hosted by Matt McSweeny  raises huge amounts of cash for the St. Baldrick’s foundation which deals in research funding to try and eradicate Childhood Cancers.

Matt Denny’s and Del Sol Salon hair dressing salon  co-sponsored this event for the 13th  consecutive year.  With the support of the Arcadia Fire and Police Departments, Holy Angels School and many other clubs and individuals, Matt Denny’s has helped raise over $450,000.00 since 2001.

Started about 13 years ago by some New York insurance executives, the St. Baldrick’s annual fundraising event has grown exponentially in popularity. Each year 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada. On a national level, the St Baldrick’s foundation has thus far raised $13,756,213 this year alone according to a check on their website.

Superior Court Judge Bruce Marrs -Photo by Terry Miller

Locally,  at Matt McSweeny’s popular speakeasy, Matt Denny’s Ale House, the 13th annual event to shave heads in solidarity with children suffering from cancer being treated at City of Hope,  attracted a lot more people than in years past. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Matt Denny’s host the head-shaving event  annually to raise funds and awareness for life-saving childhood cancer research. Last year, customers at Matt Denny  raised over $53,000 for the fundraiser when all the pennies were counted.  It could easily be another record year for Matt Denny’s and St Baldrick’s. Why all the shaved heads?  St. Baldrick’s is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for childhood cancer research by hosting worldwide head-shaving events where volunteers collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund childhood cancer research.

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Members of the Arcadia Fire and Police Department shaved their heads to honor the more than 160,000 kids diagnosed each year worldwide. Children from the City of Hope, who will arrive in style on fire engines thanks to the support of the local fire department, are the event’s special guests of the night and will be helping take swipes of hair off the local firefighters and police officers’ heads. Hair Stylists from Del Sol Salon & Spa will be serving as volunteer barbers. The event will also include live music, an ice cream sundae station and food throughout the evening. Raffle prizes will be drawn throughout the event as well. For more information, check out the event page on the St. Baldrick’s website. Matt McSweeny has been a consistent partner with St Baldrick’s having the event at his restaurant/pub every year without fail. Mc Sweeny said it is a real “community builder” giving people in all walks of life a chance to get to know one another in a fun, friendly environment and at the same time raising a tremendous amount of cash for research. Over 78% of monies raised at St. Baldrick’s goes directly into research. 19% goes back into fund-raising and only 3% for administrative expenses.

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