In September 2016, former Lions soccer player and Saint Leo Athletics Hall of Fame member Caron (Lumbra) Murphy ’05 took part in “Hannah’s Heroes—The Big Shave,” an event near her home in the Cayman Islands. The event is organized annually in an effort to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research and honors local children (including the event’s namesake, Hannah Meeson) and their families who have been affected by childhood cancers. The community raised more than $337,000 for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which solely funds childhood cancer research. Less than 4 percent of U.S. federal cancer research funding is dedicated to childhood cancer research; therefore, St. Baldrick works to fill the gap.

Murphy was frequently asked, “What is your story? Why did you sign up as a ‘shavee’?” Her answer was always the same. “I don’t have a story, and that’s why I signed up. I am so blessed to have healthy children and saw this as a great opportunity to be an ambassador for those mothers, fathers, and families who aren’t so lucky. I set a lofty goal of $10,000 and, with the overwhelming support of my family, friends, and community, was able to raise nearly $16,000! I had very long hair before the shave, so was also able to donate my hair to the Little Princess Trust, that makes real-hair wigs for children suffering from hair loss due to cancer or other illnesses.”

Learn more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation here: www.stbaldricks.org/head-shaving.