Heads shaved, thousands raised for cancer research at VGCC St. Baldrick’s event


Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus hosted a St. Baldrick’s “Head-Shaving” event on March 28, raising $2,821 for children’s cancer research. Donations were made to sponsor 11 people whose heads were shaved in the Cosmetology lab on the campus.

The event was organized by VGCC Human Services Technology program head/instructor Tracy Wallace of Kittrell, who became involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation because of his 11-year-old son, Tyler, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2010. The highlight of the VGCC event came when Tyler helped to shave his father’s head.

“Everyone had a great time,” Tracy Wallace said. “It was a good turnout for our first-ever St. Baldrick’s event. We are already looking forward to it being much bigger next year. I want to thank the VGCC team, all those who donated and, of course, those who got their heads shaved.”

Most “shavees” had personal connections to VGCC. At least one was a current student, George Bridges of Oxford. Another, Brian Humphries of Oxford, was the husband of a current student in the Human Services Technology/Mental Health program. VGCC Nursing department chair and Franklinton resident Erica Jastrow’s husband, Keith (also a VGCC graduate), and son, Tyler, left with matching haircuts.

Besides Wallace, two other members of the VGCC faculty and staff had their heads shaved, maintenance technician Andy Grissom of Oxford and English/Reading instructor Chris Brockman of Wilton. Brockman said he had two motivations for participating. “I had a former middle school student of mine do this at a St. Baldrick’s event, and he challenged me to donate to his and vice versa,” Brockman said. “Also, my mother died of cancer, so that motivates me. If I can help prevent a child’s death from cancer, it will be more than worth it.”

The event took on a festive air as a deejay on-site played popular music and called out challenges for attendees to raise another five, ten or 20 dollars if a participant would shave off his goatee, for example.

Other shavees included John Carden, Peggy McGohan, Richard Cox and Zachary Mettam. In addition to individual contributions, Butner Public Safety also donated to the cause.

Heads were shaved by two VGCC Cosmetology instructors, Nancy Jackson and Emily Ankrom, along with Myra Wicker, a VGCC Cosmetology graduate and owner of Shear Xpression salon in Creedmoor.

Proceeds from the event went to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for life-saving childhood cancer research. The organization funds more in childhood cancer grants than any organization except for the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s frequently holds such head-shaving events at all sorts of venues across the country, showing solidarity with kids who lose their hair during cancer treatment. Last year, St. Baldrick’s raised more than $38 million by shaving 57,915 heads at 1,325 events.

For more information, contact Tracy Wallace at (252) 738-3519 or wallacet@vgcc.edu.

VGCC student George Bridges already had a shaved head, but he got a trim from VGCC Cosmetology instructor Nancy Jackson to support the cause. (VGCC photo)

VGCC student George Bridges already had a shaved head, but he got a trim from VGCC Cosmetology instructor Nancy Jackson to support the cause. (VGCC photo)

VGCC Cosmetology instructor Emily Ankrom shaves the head of Chris Brockman, who teaches English and Reading at the college. Brockman composed a poem to help encourage donations: “Even if you couldn’t care less / About seeing Brockman’s head hairless / Help the search for cancer’s cure / So all our kids can live secure.” (VGCC photo)

VGCC Cosmetology instructor Emily Ankrom shaves the head of Chris Brockman, who teaches English and Reading at the college. Brockman composed a poem to help encourage donations: “Even if you couldn’t care less / About seeing Brockman’s head hairless / Help the search for cancer’s cure / So all our kids can live secure.” (VGCC photo)

Under the supervision of VGCC Cosmetology instructor Nancy Jackson, 11-year-old Tyler Wallace helps complete the head-shaving for his father, event organizer Tracy Wallace. (VGCC photo)

Under the supervision of VGCC Cosmetology instructor Nancy Jackson, 11-year-old Tyler Wallace helps complete the head-shaving for his father, event organizer Tracy Wallace. (VGCC photo)

Image Information: VGCC student George Bridges already had a shaved head, but he got a trim from VGCC Cosmetology instructor Nancy Jackson to support the cause. (VGCC photo)