Heads shaved, eyebrows raised at Hilton Head event for good cause

Somewhere between 50 and 100 people crammed onto Mellow Mushroom’s open-air brick patio to have their heads shaved on Hilton Head Island on Saturday — or at least watch those brave enough to have their heads shaved.

Yes, you read that correctly.

People of all ages voluntarily came forward to have their locks shorn and their scalps buzzed by several barbers who were more than willing to do the job for the St. Baldrick’s annual fundraising event, which raises money for pediatric cancer research.

“I feel lighter,” said Jodi Zipperer, of Savannah, just minutes after the deed was done.

Zipperer, who’d raised money and participated in last year’s event as well, said she first heard about the foundation’s work through a co-worker at Whole Foods.

“It’s a positive way to deal with a difficult issue,” said Zipperer, who raised close to $500. “Everyone has someone who has been touched by cancer.”

Saturday’s event, which also featured a silent auction and live music, was first brought to Hilton Head five years ago by Terry and Cynthia Cermak as a way to honor their 10-year-old son, Henry, who died of cancer in 2008.

A volunteer-driven organization, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation works to raise money through its signature head-shaving events held in communities across the country and even as far away as Hong Kong.

Since starting the Hilton Head effort, the Cermaks, along with volunteers, have raised more than $77,000. With the kick-off of Saturday’s event, they are now aiming to raise an additional $23,000 in the hopes of reaching $100,000 within the calendar year.

“So, we don’t have to raise all that today,” said Terry Cermak, who was on hand with his wife, Cynthia, on Saturday.

As the buzzers buzzed and the hair flew a short distance away, Terry Cermak explained how money raised will go toward a special “Hero Fund” created in Henry’s honor. That money will then be used specifically for brain and spinal tumor research, he said.

“We are just very, very grateful,” he added. “People are eating pizza and it’s the start of the tourism season, but obviously something else is going on here.”

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Heads shaved, eyebrows raised at Hilton Head event for good cause."