Many sacrifice hair for child cancer fight | hair, event, cancer - News ...

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA ? Andrew Sprague, 11, doesn't forget his battle with leukemia and the associated radiation treatments that left him without hair.

While Andrew's cancer has been in remission for years, the Ladera Ranch boy sill sheds hair, but now it's by choice.

Andrew was among about 300 people who got their hair buzzed off at the Bell Tower Foundation Community Center on Sunday to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.

"I think it's awesome that so many people are willing to shave their heads for kids like me," Andrew said.

Close to $110,000 was raised at the fifth annual event, estimates Eddie Northern, who has organized the mass hair cutting fundraiser from the beginning with his wife Mayra and their children Nicky, 13, and Mitchell, 11.

The money goes to St. Baldrick's Foundation, a charity that gives grants to organizations that conduct childhood cancer research.

Northern has seen the event blossom from a few dozen participants who helped raise $25,000 during the first event five years ago. The event has raised as much as $125,000 in the past.

"The thing that excites me is seeing others give back," Northern said. "From young, young kids all the way to adults ... The hope is that one day no kid will have to die from this terrible disease."

Those who volunteered to have their locks cut Sunday were asked to raise at least $40, but many raised thousands, Northern said.

Schools, Scout groups, church groups and other community organizations also held fund-raising campaigns for the effort, which included about 120 volunteers. All the hair cutters also volunteered their time.

Another longtime participant was Stacey Teramae, 41, a proud member of the "Bald Housewives of Orange County," who had 12 inches of hair snipped off.

Teramae raised $500 and her cut locks will go to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which uses the hair to make wigs for those who have undergone radiation treatment.

"If my hair can do something for someone else, then why not," Teramae said. "This is nothing ... It grows back."

Contact the writer: Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com or 714-704-3730

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