FLORENCE, Ky. -- It's not too rash a statement to say that no child should have to fight cancer, and that hope prompted at least 44 brave folks to take drastic measures to raise money for childhood cancer research Wednesday night where the Florence Freedom play baseball.
It was "Brave the Shave Family Night" at the ballpark and participants shaved their heads with the goal of raising $15,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which helps fund childhood cancer research. As of Thursday morning, their website said they had raised $3,440.
"I don't want children to go through this. We need a cure for them," said Nicole Rose, whose 5-year-old son Owen was diagnosed last year with Ewing's sarcoma. Owen beat the disease, but went into remission in February.
"However, because of chemo and radiation treatments that we have available ... his body shut down and he passed away," Rose said. "He was my only child, he was the only grandchild, and it's kind of broken our family and its just made me want to push harder because I don't want any family to go through this."
For many of those participating in the event, it's all about strength through unity.
"For a 5-year-old, an 8-year-old, (going bald) is a very traumatizing thing and they are still bold, still bald, still beautiful," said Corinne Hurst of the St. Baldrick's Foundation. "So what we do is shave in solidarity to say you are gorgeous, whether you have three feet of hair or whether you are skin on the top of your head. You are gorgeous either way."
