“46 Mommas: Shave for the Brave”

Tommy McFly and Amy Gagle

by contributor Megan Podeszwa
Photos courtesy of Tommy McFly

46 women gathered at Union Station all with one goal - to leave there bald.

Besides a common goal, these women all had another thing in common.  Many have a child whose life has been touched by cancer.  They all came together as part of  “46 Mommas: Shave for the Brave” to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s childhood cancer research.

The event was hosted by NBC Washington’s Angie Goff and featured various guest celebrity shavers such as Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM’s - "It was absolutely one of the most moving experiences I have ever been a part of.  

All those Mommas from all around the country with one terrible thing in common.  Instead of letting childhood cancer wreck them they took a stand, made commotion and raised huge money!," he said.
 

One of the celebrity shavers was Mary Amons of the Real Housewives of DC.  When asked about taking part in this experience she said, “ It was a very humbling experience to be a part of this.  I am so blessed with five healthy children that to have an opportunity to give back in this way and to support a woman who had gone through cancer with a child is a true honor for me. “

It was a moving experience as the crowd watched as the mother’s hair of all different lengths and colors fell to the floor.  Many tears were flowing.  Two mothers were holding hands while their heads were being shaven.  When asked if the knew each other they said, “No, just mommas together.  Momma love.”

At the end of the night they offered the chance for five people from the crowd to go up and get their head shaved.   Many were moved by the experience and the five spots filled quickly.  Bob Madigan of WTOP radio was lucky enough to obtain one of these spots and said:  “This is something near and dear to my heart.  How moving was it to witness all these Mommas being shaved and learn their stories.  It moved me to have my head shaved by Sherri Carmical of Asburn. She lost her son one month before his first birthday."  Mike O’Meara of the Mike O’Meara show also obtained a spot in the chair saying, “ I didn’t need my hair anyway.” 

The night was filled with smiles, laughs and tears as many remembered those they lost to cancer, those who are still fighting and those who are currently cancer free.  This event not only brought a lot of support to the research of childhood cancer and brought St. Baldrick’s closer to their goal of 1 million dollars for childhood cancer research, but it also brought awareness to childhood cancer and how it not only affects the child but everybody involved.  It needs the support of all of us if it is going to one day be beaten.