Heads shaved in Sandwich for cancer research

When Annie Meuch decided to get a haircut, she didn’t mess around.

Instead of just a trim, the 19-year-old from Wheaton had her ponytail chopped off to donate to make a wig for cancer patients and then went one step farther, getting her head shaved at a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser on Sunday at Lakeside Lodge in Sandwich.

“I raised over $1,500 in honor of my dad, who has cancer,” Meuch said, as stylist Kara Gray did the final touch up of her peachfuzz-covered head. Gray is a six-year breast cancer survivor.

“I’m very proud of her,” said Annie’s father, Lee Meuch. He was on hand to witness his daughter being shorn. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in July, Lee Meuch said he was given 9 to 12 months to live.

Lee Meuch, who is undergoing chemotherapy, said there’s not much that can be done for pancreatic cancer, but he’s feeling pretty good. “So far, so good,” he said.

“We’re just making the most of the time have left,” said Annie Meuch, still grinning from ear to ear.

Marc Thompson, owner of Roots Hair Studio and Barber Shop in Sandwich, sponsored the event.

“I’ve been part of similar events in the past, but this is the first one I’ve done on my own,” Thompson said. “We’re extremely excited by the turnout.”

Although the $3,000 raised was short of his $5,000 goal, Thompson was not disappointed. “This is an opportunity for us to stay focused on giving back to the community, especially around Thanksgiving,” he said.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation got its start in 1999, with the first event on March 17, 2000, in Manhattan, raising more than $100,000 for childhood cancer research. St. Baldrick’s volunteers raised more than $30 million in 2012 by shaving heads and raising funds. Record-setting fundraising efforts in 2013 have allowed the foundation to mark a milestone – $100 million in childhood cancer research grants since 2005, according to the foundation’s website, stbaldricks.org.

The Lakeside Lodge event brought out dozens of people, if not to have their heads shaved, perhaps for the hair or fashion shows.

“We’re really happy with the turnout,” said lodge owner Dan Liszeo, between preparing food orders.

Sandwich resident Nate Holley said he was there to get his head shaved for a couple of reasons. “I lost my father to cancer and my mother is a cancer survivor. This is a good way to support the kids battling cancer,” he said.

“This is just a good event for helping our neighbors,” Thompson added.