Two children and a hairy man get their heads shaved today at the downtown Syracuse edition of St. Baldrick’s, the national organization that contributes in the fight against childhood cancers.
Hope and optimism kicked the butt of pain and suffering at Kitty Hoynes’ annual St. Baldrick’s fund-raiser today.
Hundreds of people of all ages, men and women, had their heads shaved to raise money in the fight against childhood cancers.
David Hoyne, owner of the lively downtown Syracuse Irish pub and restaurant, threw open the doors to his place in 2005 for a benefit day that looks like few others. The premise, started by three New Yorkers in 2000, is razor sharp. Folks of all ages, both genders, and many stages of hairiness, get friends to pledge money if they get up on stage to get their heads shaved.
The Kitty Hoynes edition of the event has grown into somewhat of a juggernaut, having raised about $2.6 million for the organization going into this afternoon’s event. Last year, Central New Yorkers raised $378,736 at Kitty Hoynes. The till went over $400,000 today after two hours of clipping, with four more hours still left. And that means the folks at Kitty Hoynes have raised more than $3 million with this grass-roots effort.
At the center of all that attention with his head half shaved is teenager Chris Murphy, whose brother Matt fell to cancer two years ago. Murphy was the single most successful individual fund-raiser at today’s St. Baldrick’s event, having gathered pledges of more than $15,000.
Central New York children who battled childhood cancer are honored on the Kitty Hoynes Angel Board.
It’s a celebration with bittersweet tones, for sure. One wall is filled with the Angel Board, which is what Hoyne and excellent master of ceremonies Chow Downey call the collage of photographs of Central New York children who have lost their fight to childhood cancers.
And a long line of families choose to celebrate the lives of their loved ones, wearing T-shirts in their honor and forming groups to raise money under their names. They walk up to one of the two big shaving stages together to have their heads shaved in honor of the one they miss so dearly.
Beautifully awesome and astoundingly tender is this Kitty Hoynes St. Baldrick’s.
Jim McKeever, the talented WordPress blogger behind Irish Investigations, again had his head shaved today.
McKeever works in the communications department of Upstate University Hospital, where doctors and families join to fight childhood cancers daily.
This year, McKeever chose to raise money in honor of 17-month-old Arie, who was diagnosed with carcinoma around her first birthday.
Jim McKeever, author of the blog Irish Investigations, enjoys the finishing touches of his head shaving today, as the child he chose to honor, Arie, watches in the arms of her father.
Arie spent much of the afternoon riding on the shoulders of her father, as a champion in the battle against kidney cancer shoud.
Arie was at the center of the festivities today, proudly dressed in a white T-shirt that proclaimed on the back: “Yeah, I beat up kidney cancer. Arie the champ.”
She was a hero to family, friends and everybody who cheered when Downey handed McKeever the microphone to tell her story.
I was glad to have clicked McKeever’s page on the St. Baldrick’s site to donate.
And I was proud to have written the story pictured below for the March edition of Central New York The Good Life magazine.
They don’t do digital, but the issue is on sale at outlets throughout Central New York.
The St. Baldrick’s spread in this month’s Central New York The Good Life magazine, available at stores and newsstands around Syracuse.
St. Baldrick’s does things right. There may be a local fund-raiser for the event where you live. St. Baldrick’s would be happy to help you find its event nearest to you right here.
Do you have a favorite fund-raiser that you attend and contribute to? Do you go out and raise money for a cause?
Mark Bialczak 
Mark, I can’t thank you enough for your post, your donation and spreading the good word about St. Baldrick’s. It was a grand day indeed, and I thank your followers who contributed “on my head” to the cause as well. Our next lunch is on me! Bald is beautiful … Jim
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You were a one-man crew of inspiration in a sea of inspiring characters on Sunday. Way to go, Jim. And you gotta fill me in on the horrors afterward for you and your sis, by the way.
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It’s amazing when you see how people can come together when it counts. I just think it is a shame that it takes crisis or pain to bring out the best in people at times. I donate to Doctors Without Borders and Amnesty International as well as a number of environmental protection agencies here in Australia. I also do pro bono work for disability groups to assist with their PR and fundraising as well as the information packages. I’m lucky that I work from home so that I have a little more time that others who have to work full time don’t have and I have had so many lovely people who’ve helped me over time and I’ve also been blessed with education and a wonderful family so I think it is important to give back when you can.
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That’s exactly what it was, Jenni, people giving back with all of their passion and commitment. I can’t help but think that the mood of giving moved pass the physical day and extend into other parts of lives here in Central New York.
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I think that would be right it is very hard to see something so generous and not have it impact on in in a deep way.
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Mark that was beautiful. What a great cause. And what great people. I love little Arie’s shirt.
I believe people are amazing. These folks show that.
I don’t have a specific cause I go out for, but I have specific causes I donate to. St. Jude, I started donating to after my father’s death in 1998.
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I am glad you keep the St. Jude cause close to your heart, tied to your dad. That must help you as you see him with his angel wings, Colleen.
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🙂 You remember his picture. You’re awesome sauce Mark.
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I remember much that you, proud and eternally loving daughter, wrote and drew of your father.
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🙂 You make me very happy Mark.
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Mark, thanks for sharing!
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Thank you very much. It was quite an exciting event.
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Great post, Mark for an event that Syracuse can be proud of…and thanks also for the reminder to donate to Jim’s efforts–done. I learned more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, too–keep the education and awareness going! 🙂
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Nice going, Ermi. This is a great thing for Syracuse to embrace.
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Thank you very much for your contribution, Ermi! I just checked my page and saw your donation. Very thoughtful of you … Jim
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this is beautiful mark. after i lost my young nephew to cancer, his dad, (my brother) quit his job to begin a non-profit that funds pediatric cancer research. these are amazing people and an amazing cause.
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I am so sorry for that tragic loss in your family, Beth. Your brother is a good man to start that non-profit after the loss of his son. Amen to all.
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thank you mark. here is my little post i wrote about him in november. http://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2013/11/01/miss-you-little-cowboy/
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Hey, my friends who missed Beth’s post in November like me, please click her link above for the most touching tribute from an aunt I’ve ever seen. It’s touching and tender.
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Heart-warming, Mark. Thank you.
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It brought me joy and hope, Ann. Thank you for your kind words.
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What a great story! Tavern folks are so kind and generous. I prefer a tavern/pub to a linen table cloth establishment any day. Nicely written as usual Beels!
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The world revolves around Kitty Hoynes on this day, Sandra, and my God, these pub folk are ready, willing and able to get the job done. By the way, during the week, David and his staff put out the best workday lunch around, Irish style.
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Great you wrote an article. Well done to Jim.
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Yes, Jim did very well today, Rachel. Happy Mother’s Day. I hope your two did well for you!
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They were great. We had Steve’s parents here for the day too so happy family times. We have been making plans for our trip to Abbey Road. Steve parents are keen to come along.
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Wow! A family visit to the hallowed walkway of the Fab Four. That sounds fantastic, Rachel.
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Your mug shots (do you have that phrase too?) will be coming along too. Oh, we have plans, yes we do.
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Oh, goodie! I didn’t want to ask but I was hoping. Yes, we use that funny phrase here, too, Rachel. We mug on both sides of the ocean!
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That is sooo awesome! I am rooting for those kids!!
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Yes, it is a wonderful day for children to support other children, PJ.
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The magazine article is excellent, by the way. I cannot remember if I mentioned that to you. It’s a great magazine to be a part of, and maybe I’ll get an opportunity to contribute to the publication one day
However, this was a heartwarming follow-up, Mark. I had to share it on the ol’ FB.
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I am thrilled and honored to have you share this on the FB, Chris. Thank you so much for your kind words about the magazine story. I found out this week that the piece I wrote for the May edition will be the cover story! You give me the word and I’ll give your contact information to the editor.
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That’s great!!! I cannot wait to read it.
I’ll keep you posted about the contact. Not sure if I’m a quality fit for the magazine, but there are a few things that I’m going to hash out for SNT. I’m still wading in the “coffee ring” with finding my voice for that.
I’m taking a local turn on Tuesday, and the humanitarian came out of me with a bit of an “unhappy” moment that I overheard. I need to generate some awareness, and people need to start being nicer to each other around here…
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Yes and yes to your final statement, Chris.
Awareness and niceness are both embraced by me, also, always.
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