Borough girl goes bald for a good cause

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Naugatuck High School senior Molly Walsh shaved her head early this month to raise money for cancer research.

NAUGATUCK — Many people make New Year’s resolutions. Not many can say they followed through on their resolution the day after New Years.

Naugatuck High School senior Molly Walsh has already made good on a promise to be a better person this year.

On Jan. 2, Walsh shaved her head bald as part of a fundraiser for cancer research.

“I’d always kind of wanted to donate my hair (to cancer patients), but I have shorter hair and it was always kind of in a pixie cut,” Walsh said.

Organizations that collect hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients have minimum length requirements of eight to 12 inches.

So instead of donating her hair for a wig, Walsh decided to collect pledges to shave her head entirely.

She is donating the money to St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. The foundation is the second largest grant provider for childhood cancer research after the U.S. government, according to the organization’s website.

Walsh said she wanted to raise money for childhood cancer because it’s an issue that touches everyone. A student at Naugatuck High School was recently diagnosed with leukemia, so students feel passionately about it, Walsh said.

Walsh started collecting money the day before the big cut, with the goal of raising $250. She raised $150 within the first half hour after she posted her plan on Facebook and passed her goal in two days.

“People have been really gracious and generous with their donations. It makes me feel very good,” Walsh said.

As of mid-January, Walsh had raised $568 and she has new goal is $1,000. She will be collecting money through the end of the month.

Walsh said she wasn’t worried about how she’d look with a bald head. She said she knew people would make comments and whisper behind her back.

“It doesn’t matter what other people think. I know I’m helping the lives of other people,” Walsh said.

As it turned out, she had nothing to worry about. Her friends have said that she can pull off the look and Walsh said it felt cool to know her unusual cut was for a good cause.

Hopefully, Walsh’s hair will grow back out in time for prom and graduation, but she said she would definitely has no regrets.

To donate, visit www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mollywalsh.