Event Aids Cancer Research

Volunteers get their heads shaved for St. Baldrick's Day at Buffalo Wild Wings
By NED HUNTER
nhunter@jacksonsun.com

While the beer drinkers lining the bar at Buffalo Wild Wings toasted their favorite college basketball teams Saturday, Lois Williams sat quietly with her family, remembering those who saved her life.

While million of Americans used St. Patrick's Day as a reason to party, Williams used the day to pay homage to those who helped her conquer cancer - and help today's children battling the same disease.

"I had the (breast) cancer in 2000," said Williams, brushing her granddaughter's hair off her forehead. "They used a new medicine on me, and I am six years clean of cancer."

Williams, 65, was one of at least eight people who went to the Vann Drive eatery at 4 p.m. on Saturday to shave their heads for "St. Baldrick's Day," a national event sponsored by the Pasadena, Calif.-based St. Baldrick's Foundation. The foundation helps raise money for childhood cancer research.

"I feel like I was helped," said Williams, who raised about $120 in donations in just two days,

"and if I can raise a little money for the children, that's good, and it's vital to have research."

St. Baldrick's Day began in 2000 in New York City. Jackson residents held their first head-shaving fundraiser in 2002. Last year the foundation raised $8.3 million, according to its annual report found at www.stbaldricks.org.

Since 2000, the organization has raised more than $20 million, not including this year's donations, which have so far exceeded another $6 million.

But 55-year-old Beth Patterson said children don't fully understand money; they do, however, understand love and support.

"They are taking our pictures, and when the kids lose their hair from cancer, they will show them our pictures, and they will know they are supported," she said. "God, if I were young and that sick, I'd be scared, and to do something to keep their spirits up and raise money for them is important."

The crowd at the bar suddenly erupts, but 9-year-old Brint Taylor doesn't look up from the spot on the floor he is scuffing with his tennis shoe. Standing with his father for whom he is named, Taylor came to Buffalo Wild Wings to honor his grandmother.

"She's in heaven," he said, staring at the floor as he awaited his turn with the clippers. "She had bone cancer."

Organizers said late Saturday the event had raised at least $2,000.

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- Ned Hunter, 425-9641