Going bald for a cause: Childhood cancer research fundraiser nets $3K+

MOULTONBOROUGH — Hayley Campo once had long, Irish curls. Today, she’s rocking the bald and beautiful look, and doing it for a purpose.

“I love it. It’s cool,” said Campo in a phone interview on July 1. Campo, who’s in her 40s, has donated her hair for St. Baldrick’s several times, a childhood cancer research nonprofit which “works closely with leading pediatric oncologists to determine the most promising research to fund and create funding priorities to make the greatest impact for children with cancer.”

Right before she had it buzzed in June, Campo, of Webster, and formerly of Moultonborough, took herself to the hairdresser, getting the whole shebang as a treat to herself.

“I don’t typically do much to my hair. I went and got the full thing, and got highlights, full foils and it looked really nice for three weeks,” she said.

The payoff was worth it. Campo’s head-shaving event netted over $3,000 in donations for St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Providing the much-needed services for the fundraiser — the head-shaving part — was Mary Blackadar, barber and owner of Fashion Forward Salon, in Moultonborough, and Campo's friend. She was thrilled with the turnout.

“We raised about $750 that day, in total it was $3,100,” Blackadar said on Wednesday. “Hayley raised a lot of money.”

The two friends go back decades, when they first linked up at a St. Baldrick’s event. The two have remained intertwined since.

“She invited me on her first adventure to St. Baldrick’s in 2007,” Blackadar said. She herself shaved her head for the fundraiser in 2012.

Campo had a simple reason for donating her locks: No child should have to deal with cancer.

“My kids are all healthy, and I’m really grateful for that,” she said. “It’s still worth giving back a little bit, though.”

Blackadar has a more personal connection.

“My nephew had been diagnosed with MOGAD disease, which is an autoimmune disease. He was in the hospital for a little bit. It was just in March, and I thought maybe we should just do a fundraiser,” she said.

The duo plans to host a larger event next year, and hope to increase participation, to raise more money and awareness.

“I think we’ll have a better plan next year,” Blackadar said. “I’m looking forward to start planning the next event.”

And Campo won’t let society’s sideways looks get her down. After all, she’s a role model to her children, including a foster daughter for whom she wants to set a good example.

“It’s not great. Everyone is like, ‘Oh there’s something wrong,’ but it was definitely worth the hit.”

For more information on St. Baldrick’s Foundation and how to get involved, visit stbaldricks.org.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.