Over 20 full heads of hair (along with a few beards) went under the clippers Sunday for Macomb's annual St. Baldrick's Fundraiser, 'Rock the Bald' to raise money for the annual 'Conquer Kids' Cancer' event. The 2026 event, which is 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, was held in the University Union Lamoine Room on WIU's Macomb campus. Over $5,000 was raised this year.
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,' along with his eight-year-old son, Will, who said he does this to help kids with cancer.
'I'm going to keep doing this,' Will said, after getting his blonde mohawk shaved off.
The 2026 event was Will's third, but for 22-year-old Grant Anderson of Macomb, it was his 20th year taking part alongside his dad, OPS Cpl. Ted Anderson.
'It's a really good way to help someone,' Grant added.
According to Mahoney, the Michael's crew 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 the local salon to shave heads for the event.
'St. Baldrick's means everything to us,' she added.
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.
To donate, visit https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/14519/2026/about
