PROVO, Utah -- Twenty people in Provo lost their hair with a goal to raise thousands of dollars for childhood cancer research.
Provo Beach Resort hosted the Saint Baldrick’s Foundation head-shaving event on Saturday afternoon. The foundation works to fund research into childhood cancer.
The event celebrated 9-year-old Andy Stanley, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2010.
Andy said his diagnosis was scary for him, and he experienced pain in his legs as well as trouble walking. He said he was grateful for the event held on Saturday.
“I was really excited people are supporting kids like me and shaving their heads,” he said. "I look forward to it every year."
Andy said he has been improving since his diagnosis.
“I feel like I’m doing well,” he said. “My leg pains have stopped most of the time. It’s good.”
Andy’s brother, J.R., was also glad for the efforts others made on his brother’s behalf.
"It's amazing knowing how many people are here to support everyone, and I fully support him in everything that I can do, and it's just great knowing that everyone is here,” he said.
Andy has one year of treatment left, and he said he had been growing his hair out for months in anticipation of the event.
The event also celebrated 4-year-old Carson Hancock, who was also diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Carson was diagnosed in May of 2011, and he has 2 1/2 years of treatment remaining. Carson's great-grandmother, Joy Karner, let him shave her head at the event.
The volunteers at the celebration collected pledges from donors before shaving their heads, and the money will go toward funding research into childhood cancer. The head-shaving event got its start in New York City in 2000.
