Last week I was notified about a story that was going to be running in the Daily Orange about an amazing woman named Cathy Mulford, a SU librarian who was going to be shaving her head as a part of the St. Baldrick's Founding shaving event in support of childhood cancer research. Mulford's best friend, Cheryl Pellizzari, who survived non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was her inspiration to raise money to help find a cure for cancer.
I took on the assignment, and when I was introduced to Cathy, she immediately struck me as one of the kindest, most bubbly and joyful people I had ever met. She was warm, sweet, and loved laughing just as much as I did. She had beautiful red hair with a tint of strawberry blonde in it, and it takes an incredibly strong woman to agree to chop it all off for something she cares so much about.
The Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub and Restaurant in downtown Syracuse was vibrant with energy. Both young and elderly women were throwing down shots of Jameson before stepping up to wooden stools to get their heads shaved. The place was absolutely packed with people either getting shaved, or cheering for their friends or loved ones doing the same. From young children to teenaged girls to a biker gang, and even the elderly. People from all over brought smiles, tears, and an incredibly emotional atmosphere to the small pub, united by the common goal of raising money for a cause that was universally heartfelt.
My friend Jocelyn Delaney wrote an incredible story about Cathy and the event for the Daily Orange, and it can be read here:
http://dailyorange.com/2014/03/shear-courage-su-library-technician-shaves-head-with-group-of-600-in-support-of-cancer-patients-st-baldricks-foundation/
