Men, women and children baldly stand in solidarity with the 160,000 kids diagnosed with cancer each year while raising money to fund pediatric cancer research

(Laughlin, Nev.) – Lauren Terry, along with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, has issued a lofty challenge to everyone who wants to help raise money to fight childhood cancer: Be a hero for kids with cancer by shaving your head in return for pledges of financial support from friends and family.

Lauren, an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia sufferer, understands the trials and tribulations of fighting cancer. Diagnosed in 2005, Lauren underwent 26 months of treatment before being ruled in remission. After 16 months of dance lessons, attending school and being a rambunctious, healthy kid, Lauren was devastated to learn her cancer had returned.

Often the recipient of local fundraisers, Lauren wants to help other kids in her position. As the number one supporter of childhood cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation was a perfect fit for Lauren’s cause.

“Finding a cure means kids won’t have to do chemo anymore,” Lauren said. “It’s really important to help St. Baldrick’s Foundation. We need to find a cure for cancer so kids can do more stuff like dance, go out of town, go to rodeos, lots of stuff. We need people to either shave their heads or donate money. Don’t disappoint me.”

The 9-year-old little girl wants to know if the bull riders, spectators and organizers of Laughlin Xtreme Bulls are tough enough to pull off a shaved ‘do.

“Do you think you’re tough enough,” she asked. “Do you think you’re pretty enough? I think I am.”

Laughlin Xtreme Bulls will host the second annual “Shave Your Head Day”, April 17, and those who think they’re tough enough are invited to attend.

“Laughlin Xtreme Bulls contestants and fans proved last year that they are tough enough for anything, including shaving their heads,” Laughlin Tourism Commission spokesperson MJ Smith said. “Eight women, eight, were brave enough to shave their heads. Women, children, cowboys, it didn’t matter. They lined up and shaved their heads and were happy about it. Shaving your head in solidarity with the 160,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year is a small sacrifice in comparison to what these children endure.”

Christie Dennis, 34, shaved 30 inches of healthy dark hair.

“It was an easy way to raise money for St. Baldrick’s and I got to donate my ponytail to Locks of Love,” the Laughlin Storage manager said. “It’s only hair. A lot of people asked about it after, ‘was it hard?’ ‘How could you do that?’ It really was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done.”

Roy Honeycutt, promoter and stock contractor for Laughlin Xtreme Bulls, was the first to go bald in 2010 and said it was a small price to pay for the smile on Lauren’s face.

“Lauren is a very special person,” Honeycutt said. “I was really proud of the little bit of hair that I had but I was willing to shave it off for her.”

Bullhead City Police Chief Rodney Head quickly picked up the challenge and the Bullhead City Police Department raised more than $1,000 to see their chief sans hair.

“The fight against cancer is one that I am proud to sign up for,” Head said. “Participating in a St. Baldrick’s event to help find a cure for this terrible disease is an honor.”

Head will be one of the first under the clippers Sunday and LTC hopes the community will step forward and pledge their support for him and those who are willing to shave their heads.

“Part of St. Baldrick’s fundraising is to show kids in treatment that we understand a little piece of what they are going through,” Smith said. “The other part is to help raise money to find a cure. If shaving your head isn’t an option, we hope you’ll support those who do by making pledges in their names.”

Bull riders, clowns, local fire fighters and police officers are already signed up to shave their locks in Lauren’s name. The Bullhead City Fire Department raised $2,800 at an April 3 fundraiser and will be on hand to pledge their support.

Cruz-n-Cuts of Laughlin will wield the clippers and they look forward to participating for the second year, owner Cheryl Crow said.

To join the fun, visit www.stbaldricks.org and register to shave your head or make a pledge to one of those brave enough to go bald.

Registration will continue through April 17. Donations and shavees will be accepted up to the day of the event. Interested parties can register online or at the Laughlin Events Park during Xtreme Bulls. Head shaving will commence at 11 a.m. on April 17 and continue throughout the bull riding. For more information contact MJ Smith at 702-298-0459 or via email at mj@laughlintourism.net.