Shaving one's head could leave one feeling exposed and vulnerable - probably the way chemotherapy patients feel, especially those who are children.

As a way to show empathy for those patients while raising much-needed funding for cancer research, organizers began St. Baldrick's Day, now an international event, in 2000.

The event, in which people volunteer to have their heads shaved in return for pledges from friends and family, came to Louisville in 2002, and was held at The Irish Rover restaurant.

Due to its growth, St. Baldrick's Day will be held at Fourth Street Live! at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, this year, where, in addition to more space, the equipment that had to be rented in previous years already is in place.

That will help increase the amount of money that goes to CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, which raises funds for the CureSearch Children's Oncology Group, whose 200 centers in the United States combine to treat more than 90 percent of children with cancer in North America.

Kosair Children's Hospital is a member of that group.

Louisville steps up in '04

Even with the designation "16th largest metro area," Louisville doesn't have the feel of a fast-paced, unfeeling large city.

To underline that point, one needs simply to look at the generosity of local citizens - and their willingness to do whatever it takes to help a cause.

St. Baldrick's Day is held in five countries and about 150 U.S. cities, many of which have much larger populations than Louisville.

But in 2004, just the second year the event was held locally, the community raised $230,775 - the third highest total in the country.

Last year, 287 local people agreed to get their heads shaved - the second highest number in the country - and took pledges from friends and family who wanted to help a worthy cause.

'An amazing city'

Co-chair Brooke Pardue, who lost a son, Sammy, age 4, to cancer in 2003, said that the community's enormous support of the event shows that it is not only those affected by cancer who are responding.

While she acknowledged that those who are touched by cancer, especially childhood cancer, become very involved in each other's lives, the outpouring of support from outside is important.

"Louisville is an amazing city in so many ways," she said. "It just seems to be a place where folks are so connected to one another, and people understand the true meaning of community.

"We take care of each other, we support each other. The outpouring of support for this cause has been overwhelming. The number of shavees that we have, who have no personal connection to childhood cancer, is amazing to me.

"People just believe that it is important to help those who are less fortunate than they are."

Read more at ://voice-tribune.com/BaldIsBeautiful.html