St. Baldrick’s Head-Shaving Event at Hibernian

St. Baldrick’s + Hibernian help fund pediatric cancer research one bald head at a time.

Less than a year after her daughter, Macie, passed away from pediatric cancer, UNC Health Director of Corporate Communications Sharon Delaney McCloud got a random call from local Jane Hoppen saying she and her husband were going to shave their heads in honor of her late 6-month-old. Come March 4, 2006, hundreds of others would join Hoppen in shaving their own. 

So goes the inspiring origin story of St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s annual head-shaving event at Hibernian, now in its 25th year, before heading to now-shuttered RiRa. Hoppen was then working for an insurance company who did philanthropic work with the nonprofit—the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants—and, thanks to McCloud’s close friendship with Hibernian’s Niall Hanley, was able to host the pub’s first shaving.

“At the time I still didn’t know the unbelievable shortcomings of funding for pediatric cancer,” says McCloud. “Cancer kills more kids in the U.S. than any other disease—but it’s not profitable for drug companies to invest in all that research.”

Going into the first Hibernian event, the trio expected to raise maybe $25K—but ended up with a whopping $77K+. McCloud recalls almost every single local media outlet was in attendance, alongside appearances from Carolina Hurricanes players (including Aaron Ward, who shaved his head), children in treatment balding their oncologist’s and other people’s heads—even Macie’s oncologist, who also buzzed his mane.

McCloud emphasizes that while people would think the event would be a sad occasion, “it’s actually very lively and lovely.” In addition to hundreds of people trimming their tresses, there’s live music, food and drink, and usually a speech from McCloud. So, really like a hair-raising festival (!).

“Community is at the heart of St. Baldrick’s Hibernian events,” maintains Hoppen, who’s now the director of family relations for the org. “My favorite thing is being surrounded by people from all walks of life who are there in support of a common goal—funding cures for kids with cancer. I am grateful that Niall and the Hibernian team are dedicated to this cause and truly supportive of the event. Kids with cancer are lucky to have them on their side.” April 11, stbaldricks.org 

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