Who needs hair?

Dr. Alfred Grovas had a wide grin on his face as Brandi Busboom and Laura Peter started shaving off his thick hair.

“It gives me an opportunity to relate to my patients somewhat,” he said, sitting shorn afterward as other Nebraska Medical Center staffers prepared to lose their locks.

Grovas was one of several doctors and others who had their heads shaved Friday afternoon as part of the Nebraska Medical Center’s Shave-A-Thon to benefit The St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Grovas was one of four pediatric oncologists to paticipate in the event, joined by Dr. Bruce Gordon, Dr. Donald Coulter and Dr. James Harper. Nurses, other medical staff and members of the community -- including several members of the Air Force -- showed up to have their heads shaved as well.

“It’s not only the money, I think it’s the awareness,” said Coulter, waiting on line to be shaved. “Awareness of what kids go through, awareness of the importance of research for kids with cancer. I think those are the big things that we get out of events like this.”

After Gordon was shaved, a loud burst of applause greeted him as he stepped from the chair.

“It raises money for childhood cancer research,” he said. “But also, it makes the kids happy. I have my patients scattered all the way through, they’ve all lost their hair for one reason, the least I can do is take off my hair for another reason.”

Alex Cahill, 11, of North Platte, one of Gordon’s patients, agreed it was funny to see his doctor get his head shaved.

His mother, Elizabeth Cahill, was also enjoying the event.

“I think it’s cool that they do this kind of thing, it’s really neat,” she said.

Nurse Becky Hoff, pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant case manager at The Nebraska Medical Center, said it could be hard for young patients to lose their hair.

“Now these doctors will sport the same ‘do’ to show support and solidarity for how their young patients are feeling,” she said. “At the same time, they will likely raise a few eyebrows and awareness for the support of cancer research.”

The people who had their heads shaved had raised money for or made donations to St. Baldrick’s.

Grovas said he was sure his patients had enjoyed seeing him shaved.

“They probably also want me to grow it back as quickly as possible, because I look really funny.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was started in 1999 and is the world’s largest volunteer fund-raising program for childhood cancer. For information on donating to St. Baldrick’s Foundation, contact Hoff at 559-6589.

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