Hair-stylist Megan LaBahn is no stranger to sporting a unique hair-style, but on March 14 she tried a new look—a shaved head—all for a good cause.

LaBahn, a stylist at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop in La Grange, joined numerous other volunteers who shaved their heads in a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser at Palmer Place, 56 S. Lagrange Road, to raise money for childhood cancer research.

This is the second year the event has been held at Palmer Place. Floyd’s Barbershop has a tradition of providing stylists for the annual event focusing on children’s cancer, so when LaBahn’s boss sought volunteers to not only cut hair, but have their hair cut, she decided to step up to the plate. LaBahn said she knows several people who suffered from childhood cancer, including her friend Lauren, who is in her third-year of recovery, she said.
“She’s really the background inspiration for this,” LaBahn said.

After taking the challenge, LaBahn appealed to her Facebook friends to meet her pledge for St. Baldrick’s and within hours she had the money. LaBahn said achieving the monetary goal drove home the reality of having her head shaved. LaBahn has worn a Mohawk before, but said this is the first time she’s only had a “peach fuzz” hairdo.

“I’m nervous, but I can do it,” she said the Tuesday before her haircut.

Part of her steeliness was due to the other female shaving her head—a nine-year-old girl.

“She has guts. If this little girl, who is at a point in her life where image is starting to become important can do it, then so can I,” she said Tuesday.

This is not LaBahn’s first experience with St. Baldrick’s, but it is the first time the 29-year-old had her head sheared for the cause. Last year LaBahn was on the other end of the shears and said there is a different feeling being the cuttee rather than the cutter.

“Last year it was about fun and supporting a great event. This year …it’s just going to be a whole different vibe this year,” she said.

After deciding to shave her head for the event, LaBahn said everyone in her life has been supportive of the idea. From the moment she announced her plan LaBahn said her mother was excited and opted to be there when the locks fell.  Her boyfriend too has been supportive. LaBahn said her boyfriend kept telling her how beautiful she would be with a shaved head.

“They’ve all been so supportive and making this a lot easier to do,” she said.

By Wednesday evening the Palmer Place event exceeded its goal of $20,000 by more than $10,000, according to the event website. In 2012 the event at Palmer Place raised more than $24,000.