As the auditorium lights dim, audience members are asked to raise their phone flashlights as they listen to the heartfelt stories shared by honoree guests at Emmaus High School during its ninth biannual Shave for the Brave event. On March 13, the Emmaus community showed its support for children with cancer by shaving their heads, donating, or sharing their stories.

When shavees sit in the chair, they are offered a whiteboard to write their reasons for shaving their heads. Senior Jack Sparango shaved his head to honor his two grandfathers, who passed away from cancer.

“It definitely brings a lot of awareness to people [with cancer] and the disease,” Sparango said, “and I think [the Shave for the Brave student planning committee does] a great job of running it and really connecting to everyone’s hearts in the audience.”

Shave for the Brave — a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event — first began at EHS in 2010. Since its implementation at EHS, the event has raised a total of $679,493. This year alone, the  event has raised over $64,000, which directly funds St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s research for children with cancer in hopes of finding a cure.

President of Shave for the Brave’s student planning committee and EHS senior student Taylor Haberle originally joined the club for the 2024 Shave for the Brave event, and was inspired to further pursue the cause after hearing the meaningful stories behind each and every person’s shave.

“My favorite part is hearing the honorees, the families [talking] about their children, and then seeing all the shavees jump into a chair… and they just look so happy to be supporting this cause,” Haberle said.

Thanks to the volunteer barbers, Shave for the Brave is able to continue working towards its goal of raising funds in hopes of finding a cure for cancer. Barber Christopher Desiderio from City Cuts Barbershop was amazed by the passionate sacrifice the community members made to show their compassion towards children battling cancer.

“I found out that a kid [whose hair] I cut — his name’s Cameron — his mom talked today [at the event]… he wound up getting cancer when he was four, and I was there when they found out, I was cutting his hair… and luckily, he’s [now] in total remission,” Desiderio said.

Under the cause of supporting children who are either currently fighting cancer or those who have fought cancer, bringing the community together in hopes of lighting the way for a cure and proving that nobody fights cancer alone.

“Honestly, I hope all of our shavees return. I hope our barbers come back. And I really hope that this event just continues to grow bigger and bigger, and hopefully we find a cure so no more kids have to go through this treatment,” Haberle said.