Desert dealerships go bald to help children fight cancer

Management, staff and customers of Desert Volkswagen and Desert BMW of Las Vegas shaved their heads March 6 to show support for children with cancer.

The dealerships donated $5,760 to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a national organization that raises funds for children's cancer research by having volunteers raise money and have their heads shaved to show solidarity with young cancer patients.

To date, more than 106,000 participants have shaved their heads in 2,400 events in all 50 states and 24 countries.

Melissa Gunning, Mary Fernandez of Mary's Hair Salon and Kari Thormodsgaard of the Beauty Center volunteered their time to shave heads at the Desert event.

In 2009, Jared Vanaken, sales associate for Desert Volkswagon, approached the dealership about getting involved with the foundation and holding an annual event.

"It was introduced to me through the McMullan family of McMullan's Irish Pub," Vanaken said. "They have been doing this for a few years and have raised close to a million dollars."

In 2010 alone, St. Baldrick's has raised more than $8.6 million.

Desert employee Mark Gilmore had a mass removed from his liver two years ago and wanted to participate.

This is the second year that management and staff of Desert Volkswagon and Desert BMW of Las Vegas have raised funds for the St. Baldrick's Foundation by shaving their heads.