Bald is not only beautiful, it also represents a great cause.
The annual St. Baldrick's Fundraiser, 'Rock the Bald,' is back at its old stompin' grounds this year, Western Illinois University, to raise money for the annual 'Conquer Kids' Cancer' event. The 2026 event, in which participants completely shave their head and/or chop off a good chunk of their hair (or can even get a slight trim if they don’t' want to go completely 'under the scissors,') will be held from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, April 12 in the University Union Lamoine Room on WIU's Macomb campus. The event is once again sponsored by Michael's Hair Designers of Macomb, who has been taking part for over 20 years, as well as Western Illinois University's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 169.
Each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 11,00012,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer. The St. Baldrick's 'Rock the Bald' event raises awareness – and funds – for childhood cancer research. The event originally began at Western Illinois University in 2005; however, due to changes at the University, Mahoney, along with Macomb and WIU graduate Brandon Colley, took over the planning of the event in 2024 and moved the event to Michael's Hair Designers on the Downtown Square. As they have for 21 years, Michael's stylists will be shaving the heads (and cutting the hair) of volunteer fundraisers all in the name of raising money for childhood cancer research. Colley remains a member of the committee, and for the 11th year, he'll 'rock the bald.'
'We became involved in the St. Baldrick's event because we wanted to do something to give back to the community and children. There was a group of students from WIU that took St. Baldrick's on a project and they asked Michael's to shave heads for the event and that's when it all began for us,' Mahoney explained. 'St. Baldrick's means everything to us.
'The Michael's crew became even closer to this annual event when we got to know the story of, and meet, Reid Brewer, a child from Bushnell who fought a two-year battle with cancer,' she added. 'There are so many reasons we've been involved over the years, including hearing so many stories of families and children that have changed our lives and touched our hearts.'
In addition to individual fundraisers, teams such as Team Michaels and WIU's Office of Public Safety (OPS) are also raising money for the event. OPS police officers and staff have also been a constant part of the event every year, with OPS Director Derek Watts and Cpl. Ted Anderson taking part for 20 and 21 years, respectively. This year, OPS Officer Timm Harting is joining the 'shavee' ranks, as is Anderson's son, Grant.
Both men said they've consistently participated because they've had friends with children diagnosed with cancer, and they know this is one way to make a significant impact to help eradicate childhood cancer.
'I had another friend's child diagnosed just last year, and this is something I can do that helps,' Anderson added. 'Thanks to St. Baldrick's, progress has been made in research, and this organization does a good job keeping participants informed of what they're working on and what progress has been made. This really gives us a sense of accomplishment as well since we've taken part in raising money for this cause.'
And as Watts noted, 'everyone knows someone affected by cancer.'
'We all know someone, but when cancer affects a child, it just really hits you hard,' he said. 'If we can save just one child through taking part in St. Baldrick's every year, then we've done something to help.'
Team OPS has a goal of $2,000 for the 2026 event. In addition to taking part, Anderson and Watts are working to round up WIU student organizations to be a part of the event, and they're also working with Mahoney to round up additional sponsors and prizes for raffle drawings held throughout the day on April 12. Sodexo, WIU's food service operations, will be providing snacks and beverages for all those who attend.
'Even if you don't come out to get a haircut or a shave, just come out to support everyone and learn more,' Anderson said.
St. Baldrick's began in 2000 with a group of New York executives who wanted to add a new meaning to St. Patrick's Day celebrations by recruiting volunteers to have their heads shaved in public in return for financial support to benefit childhood cancer research. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer and donor powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.
