St. Baldrick's to raise money for children's cancer research

Event set for Saturday at McMullan's Irish Pub

Last year?s St. Baldrick?s participant Branagh McMullan, 9, giggles as hair stylist Stephanie Scales begins to shave her head. Branagh is the daughter of Brian and Lyn McMullan, who host the event at McMullan?s Irish Pub, 4650 W. Tropicana Ave.view file photo Advertisement

If you knew that shaving your head would raise money that could potentially save the life of a terminally ill child, would you do it?

For more than 200 Las Vegans who plan to participate in the second annual St. Baldrick's Foundation Fundraiser at 2 p.m. on Saturday inside McMullan's Irish Pub, 4650 W. Tropicana Ave., the answer is a resounding yes.

St. Baldrick's Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has been among the world's foremost supporters of cancer research, raising funds to help find a cure for childhood cancer through special events designed to promote solidarity and awareness.

"It's quite an experience," said McMullan's owner and shavee Brian McMullan. "To see hundreds of people turn out to support a cause like this is great.

"Even though something like shaving your head can be very traumatic for some people, it's done in a way to identify with these sick kids who lose their hair when they undergo chemotherapy," he said.

McMullan has experienced firsthand the heartache of losing a child to cancer and after hearing about the foundation, felt motivated to get involved.

The pub hosted the first St. Baldrick's benefit in Las Vegas last year, raising $152,000 -- 100 percent of which went directly to the charity.

"We were aiming for $100,000 and thought that was ambitious," McMullan said. "But the outpouring from the community was incredible."

This year, more than three-dozen local barbers will participate in the shavings.

"I have never been involved in something as exciting as this," McMullan said. "In the '60s, we would have called it a happening."

Las Vegas resident David Brimley was among last year's 130 volunteers and intends to participate in this year's event.

"It was a fantastic experience," Brimley said. "It's really something to see so many people come together and sacrifice for no other reason than to do some good."

Brimley lost his sister to a brain tumor 20 years ago, and while many find the event to be a show of solidarity with pediatric patients, his experience was very personal. "I was petrified to begin with because you never know how you will look without hair," Brimley said. "But it was profound. I held pictures of my sister as it was happening and felt a very real connection with her."

McMullan said he expects a packed house, but encourages community members to turn out for live music, great food and hops and an electric atmosphere, all for a great cause.

"The goal this year is to raise $300,000," McMullan said. "All of the money donated will return to the Las Vegas community. We see the difference our dollars make in our own backyard. I can't think of a better reason to become active. These kids really need us and I know that the head shaving means something to them. They don't feel so alone."

The event will be preceded by an ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers hockey game at The Orleans Arena on Friday. The team will donate $25,000 to the foundation if game ticket sales exceed 1,500. Tickets are between $16 and $25. To purchase tickets, visit www.mcmullansirishpub.com.