Brave the Shave: St. Baldrick’s Foundation marks 25 years at Napper Tandy’s

This Saturday, March 7, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation returns home to continue its fight against childhood cancer. The annual headshaving event will mark the 25th year the homegrown charity hosts the fundraiser at Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub on Laurel Avenue. The largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, St. Baldrick’s has proud Northport roots, created in 1999 by then-resident Tim Kenny.

Every year, men, women and children sign up to have their heads shaved in an act of solidarity, and in the hopes of finding a cure for childhood cancer. The Napper Tandy’s event is open to the public and brings spectators and supporters who partake in the day’s festivities, which include raffles, a 50/50, and an overwhelming sense of community. 

In its two-plus decades, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has raised over $369 million, $6 million of which has been raised in Northport. What started as one singular event is now held in over 31 countries, with the locals of Northport continuing to lead the group’s legacy.

As of this morning, close to 40 shavees have registered to participate in the day’s headshaving and over $145,000 has been raised for the event. 

“The Northport community has been amazingly generous year after year,” lead organizer Lynn Kenny told the Journal. “We never know what will happen; we have been through economic downturns and Covid, yet the support we receive is unstoppable.”

This year’s St. Baldrick’s event will take place at Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub, 229 Laurel Avenue in Northport, on Saturday, March 7 from 12 to 5pm. To support the Napper Tandy event via donation or by participating, click here.