Santa Monica Firefighter Walter Patton's boys, Myles Patton, 6, and his brother Connor, 2, get their head shaved by Vidal Sassoon Academy students Jennifer Himler (left) and Alissa Bachelier (right) at Barney's Beanery during a St. Baldrick's fundraiser on Thursday, September 24, 2009. St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family. How it all started: In 1999, Tim Kenny challenged friends, John Bender and Enda McDonnell to find a way to give back to society. These three reinsurance executives turned their industry's St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer. What could they do to really turn the heads - and the wallets - of their colleagues? John suggested shaving Enda's head since kids typically lose their hair during cancer treatment. "People will gladly pay to see you bald, Enda!" Never one to miss an opportunity, Enda replied, "I will if you will," and St. Baldrick's was born. The three planned to raise "$17,000 on the 17th," recruiting 17 colleagues to raise $1,000 each to be shorn. Instead, the first St. Baldrick's event, held on March 17, 2000, raised over $104,000!
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