Going bald to raise money for cancer research
Van Oleson, right, donates the ice arena for this event; plus, he and his son get their heads shaved to help the cause. Photo/Denise Haerr
South Shore residents filled the South Lake Tahoe ice rink Feb. 27, but it had nothing to do with skating of any kind.
It was all for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s annual fundraiser. People show their support by volunteering to have their heads shaved and then seek donations to support childhood cancer research.
People of all ages participated, as well as folks with hair of various lengths.
On Friday night, 172 people had their heads shaved, with 80 of them being Heavenly Mountain Resort employees.
— Reporting by Denise Haerr
Thank you Lake Tahoe News for bringing attention to this incredible fundraising event. I have never, in my lifetime, seen such an overwhelming huge show of support and community solidarity. I was actually moved to goosebumps and tears.
Honestly, there are few words to express the emotions of this night: sadness that every 3 seconds a child is diagnosed with cancer; appreciation that we live in a community whose members discard their concern for their appearance for the benefit of others, and hopefulness that if one small town can make such a financial impact, there will be help for all the new cancer cases that arise in our future. What a gift it was to be in the presence of such giving. South Lake Tahoe continues to surprise and delight us, even after almost three years of living here.