If you take a look around, you may notice that many LAFD and LAPD members are sporting a freshly shorn look. Are they getting prepared for summer? Did they lose a bet? Are they saving money on shampoo? For the participants of the 14th Annual LAFD/LAPD St. Baldrick’s fundraiser to fight childhood cancer the answer is a resounding “No!”
On Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Fire Station 89 in North Hollywood these first responders joined with brave souls from the public by shaving their heads in solidarity to support children who have lost their hair as a consequence of cancer treatment. Worldwide more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and sadly it takes the lives of more children in the United States than any other illness. By raising money for shaving his head, shavees like LAFD co-organizer Sean Kennedy assists the St. Baldrick’s Foundation with offering research grants for finding a cure. This is extremely important because behind the U.S. government, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest source of funding for childhood cancer research. Proceeds from this year’s event bring the aggregate total raised through 14 years to more than $1 million dollars!
Like events in the past, this year’s event was “all about the kids.” Tireless worker Laura Hixson and her volunteers from the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union organized an amazing silent auction with donations from the City Employees Club, Home Depot, Sears, LAPD Air Support Division, Fire Axe Inc., and others. They also put together a secret egg toy fundraiser supported in part by Spark of Love, contributing an additional $5000 to the projected $100,000+ raised at this year’s event! Magicians from the Magic Castle mesmerized the little ones with their tricks, Betsy Quezada painted eagerly waiting faces, LAFD S&M’s Derrick Tinsley drew amazing caricatures—and they all broadened every child’s smile even further by volunteering their artistic talents. Children and their families enjoyed exploring the LAPD S.W.A.T. display, Tesla patrol car, and having their photo professionally taken in Laura Lichter’s LAPD motorbike picture booth.
The crowd enjoyed a delicious free pancake and sausage breakfast from Pancake Factory North Hollywood, and quenched their thirst with fresh cups of joe from the Coffee Bean and drinks/snacks from KENK USA’s Kelly Khoury.
UCLA Blood and Platelet Donor Center’s Vicky Nguyen partnered with Janet Higgins from City of Hope to recruit donors for their blood drive and bone marrow registration—thereby helping out even further in the local community and beyond.
Actress Angeline Rose-Troy smiled as she again shaved heads with Moni Meza, Jessica Sanchez, Deby Herdrich, and Kim Ferry—all regular barbers from over the years. St. Baldrick’s Director Kathleen Ruddy smiled as LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas shaved my dome, while in the next stool his Chief Deputy Joe Castro shaved LAFD Bandwagon Operator/Firefighter Cody Weireter’s head with pleasure. LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck made a repeat appearance and looked happy to lop off LAPD co-organizer Lieutenant Greg Doyle’s hair in front of an approving crowd!
Not present this year due to his busy schedule was regular supporter Mr. Jay Leno—although he did stop by Fire Station 89 earlier in the week to deliver a generous $5000 donation. However present this year was LAFD’s highest fundraising participant, Battalion Chief Jesse Cisneros, who supposedly strong-armed many gold badges (and their checkbooks) into raising more than $6300!
One of the highlights of this year’s event came in the “Honored Kids” ceremony where Laura Hixson presented our St. Baldrick’s special kids and their families with an incredible gift basket for recognition of their fight with cancer. Someone who could relate to their courage is Fire Station 89’s own Apparatus Operator Lee Hazelquist—who made it known that even while recovering from his own cancer treatment he was not going to miss his first St. Baldrick’s event. As he does every year, Lee arrived early to assist with setting up and cooking breakfast for the hundreds of hungry mouths on UFLAC’s “Mother Of All Barbecues.” “Thank You Lee” for your tireless work ethic and dedication, and we all hope to see you driving Truck 89 again soon!
Thank you also to all that volunteered, pledged, participated, and brought your families out for a worthy cause. A special thanks goes out to Fire Station 89 for hosting, Off the Shelf Catering’s Jovan Fiddler for feeding all of the volunteers, and ACE Party Rentals in North Hollywood for donating an impressive 40×60 foot canopy that protected the eating area consisting of LAFD In-Service Training’s tables/chairs—in anticipation of El Nino and inclement weather. Luckily, the furious downpour from the day before subsided before the start of the event, and clearly this year’s event was meant to be enjoyed in our beautiful Southern California weather.
We look forward to seeing you all next year and remember it’s not too late to donate online at www.stbaldricks.org/events/lafdlapd