Dozens lose hair, raise money for St. Baldrick's Day

 Nine-year-old McKenna Hill lost her locks Sunday at the fourth annual St. Baldrick’s Day event at the Radisson Hotel Corning.

Hill, a student at the Frederick Carder Elementary School, said she first heard about the head-shaving event, which raises money for children and young adults with cancer, from a Carder Elementary teacher.

“This is my first time,” said McKenna Hill, smiling while holding her head moments after it was shaved. “Two weeks ago, I went to my mom and dad and said I’m thinking about doing it.”

Candice Hill, her mother, said she and her husband, Vincent Hill, both told McKenna to take some time and think about having her head shaved before making a final decision.

“I did that,” McKenna said. “And about three days later, I told my mom and dad I was going to do it.”

McKenna, who raised $2,200 for the event, said she decided to have her head shaved in honor of Zack Spaulding, a 7-year-old Corning student, and her uncle, Bran Hill. Both are fighting cancer.

“I’m extremely proud of hear,” Candice Hill said. “For her to come to us on her own, it just blew me away. She’s a very brave girl. Not as brave as those fighting cancer. But brave.”

Hill was the one of the first of more than a 75 people who had their heads shaved at the fourth-annual St. Baldrick’s Day Sunday.

Officials expect this years event raised about $23,000 to help fight cancer.

Angi Franceschelli, owner of BellaCapelli Salon on Market Street, said the event has grown from just a few heads into an annual event.

“In 2009, six people had their head shaved, and we raised $450,” Franceschelli said. “Last year, we had more than 40 people get their head shaved and we raised more than $23,000. This year, we hope for better.”

Bob Pierri, owner of the R&M Restaurant, was the first person to get his head shaved at the event, raising more than $2,900.

“I was just thinking the last time I had my hair cut like this,” said Pierri, who had long hair prior to the shaving. “It was probably 1979. But if I’m going to get my hair cut, I said why not do it for a great cause. Hopefully it will help make a difference against cancer.”

Others who had their hair shaved Sunday included Severn Elementary students, members of the CFA Bulldogs, Corning Hawks, Bald Buddies, Corning Baby Gaffers and Corning Hurricanes, and a female teacher at Severn.

More than 500 people filled the Radisson Hotel in Corning to take in the event.