 | | | Amir Mohamed has had his head shaved for the cause before
Picture courtesy of the St. Baldrick's Foundation
| | | | | | What's the price on Moraga Police Chief Robert Priebe's head (of hair)? Currently, it stands at $50; that's what Council Member Dave Trotter will contribute to charity if Priebe submits to having his head shaved on April 24th during a St. Baldrick's Foundation challenge to raise money to support childhood cancer research. "Be a Hero for Kids with Cancer" is the motto of this non-profit organization that has been challenging individuals to shave their heads while family, friends and supporters contribute money to the cause. Already more than 70 individuals are planning to become bald in Moraga during this month's event.
"When I heard Amir Mohamed present his project at the Town Council I immediately considered participating," said Priebe, "I flashed back to an event when my kid was three and very sick. I didn't forget as parents how frightened we were, driving to Children's Hospital, and how lucky we are to have this hospital here." So the Chief and half of his department plan to bare all (above the neck) for the cause. "I'll probably be wearing a hat quite a bit," adds Priebe, "but Dave Trotter, Karen Mendonca, Mike Segrest and Kimberley Nelson have committed to sponsor me and I will send emails to friends and family to raise even more." Trotter confirmed, "I have agreed to contribute $50 to the St. Baldrick's Foundation if he (Priebe) actually goes through with it. This equates to about one dollar for every hair that he still has on his head at this point," joked the council member.
Mohamed was touched by the same hard reality of childhood disease and courage. "Throughout my college career I worked at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute and that is where I learned about the St. Baldrick's Foundation," says the young man, "On Fridays, my coworkers and I would go to visit the cancer wing at the hospital and play video games with the children. It was always so hard to see such wonderful young children and their families struggling to cope with the awful hand they had been dealt. We learned about the St. Baldrick's Foundation and immediately decided that we would shave out heads and try to raise as much money as possible."
Mohamed, a graduate of Campolindo, has shaved his head the last two years and wanted to do more this year to extend the reach of the organization to his hometown of Moraga, so he became an event coordinator.
"The support in Lamorinda has been very good," says Mohamed, "the Town waived the fee for me to organize the event and free concert at the Park, and many have signed up to get their heads shaved." Shelby Sexton Salon of Lafayette has volunteered to come and do the shaving, and Jamba Juice will be at the event selling smoothies with 25% of the proceeds going to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Other local businesses have donated gift certificates and items to be raffled during the event.
According to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide every year. The Foundation claims to be the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising organization for childhood cancer research and since 2000 has held events in 24 countries and all of the 50 states raising over 68 million dollars for cancer research.
The April 24th event is set to take place at the Moraga Commons Park from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The fundraiser will include a free concert featuring Moraga's own Camaron Ochs (http://www.camaronochs.com/) and the Berkeley band "Go Lay Down." There will also be face painting, balloons and other activities for young children. "The event is open to the public and we would love to have many members of the community come out and show their support and enjoy some free live music and fun or even get their heads shaved," says Mohamed.
Visitors to the event can decide on the spot to get their heads shaved and/or to donate. Support can be pledged in advance by signing up at
www.stbaldricks.org/events/Moraga; click on the blue button that says "participate in this event."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA