Two barbers and 32 “shavees” later, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis’ fourth annual head-shaving event Friday, Feb. 6, raised more than $7,000 for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a childhood cancer research charity.

The 32 shavees included Seminary President Dale A. Meyer, three staff members, and two faculty members; the remainder were students. Several shavees have been participating in this event for several years.

Two female staff members surprised attendees by issuing a challenge: if they could raise $500 that evening, they would shave their heads. The audience responded to the challenge and met the goal in swift fashion; the two women were the last to succumb to the razors that evening.

“I’m thrilled with the participation this year,” said Rev. Bill Wrede, event organizer and director of ministerial recruitment and admissions at Concordia Seminary. “It was especially great having members of the Board of Regents in the cheering section and donating.”

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among children and adolescents in the United States. “With a child being diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, we hope and pray that the grants from St. Baldrick’s will continue to find cures,” said Wrede.

There’s still time to beat last year’s fundraising record; the Seminary’s event page is still live, and donations may still be made. To donate in honor of a loved one, or in support of a classmate or co-worker who had their head shaved, visit https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/7823/2015.

To see photos from Concordia Seminary’s 2015 head-shaving event, visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.858244220907103.1073741858.220645778000287&type=1.