Mark Herzlich Shaves Pierre Garcon's Head as Victor in Wahl Head-to-Head Challenge

USA - English

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning on "Fox & Friends", New York linebacker Mark Herzlich held the clipper high as he shaved Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon's head in a fundraising victory for childhood cancer research. For the past month, these pro football rivals put their heads on the line in a winner-cuts-all fundraising campaign from Wahl Clipper, the leading manufacturer of hair clippers, and the St. Baldrick's Foundation titled the "Wahl Head-to-Head Challenge." Herzlich came out more than a hair ahead in the competition, which raised thousands of dollars to tackle this devastating disease.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131112/AQ14910)

Herzlich was the one holding the clipper in the end, shaving Garcon's head as a show of solidarity with the more than 175,000 kids who will be diagnosed with cancer during this year alone.  Herzlich, a cancer survivor who overcame giant odds to play professional football, received tremendous support from his fans during the competition, including a significant donation made in memory of late Giants owner Wellington T. Mara.

"I was inspired to take part in the Wahl Head-to-Head challenge by my own battle with cancer," shared Herzlich. "Because I understand the pain and devastation cancer can have on your life, it means a lot to me to be able to fight back. I want to thank my supporters for helping me fund research to find a cure."

Although Garcon lost the fundraising competition, his winning attitude stands out. Throughout the campaign, Garcon went above and beyond to support children with cancer, and made some new friends in the process. From hometown princess Tara Sankner to Justin Miller, a 10-year-old boy from Aurora, Colo. fighting cancer for the seventh time, Garcon took time to meet these kids and pledged to keep tackling cancer for them.

"Somebody helped me, so I'm happy to have the opportunity to help someone else and continue the cycle," said Garcon about his work for childhood cancer. "The Wahl Head-to-Head challenge allowed me to meet some amazing kids and help them out by raising some money and awareness. Hopefully, St. Baldrick's research will help them and other kids like them have a brighter future."

Since 2005, the St. Baldrick's Foundation has awarded more than $127 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. This year alone, more than 57,000 volunteers, including students, business professionals, first responders, and beauty queens, have gone under the clippers at more than 1,300 St. Baldrick's signature head-shaving events—and now they've added professional football rivals to the ever-growing list.

"We are honored to have Mark and Pierre on our St. Baldrick's team, helping to tackle kids' cancer and raise money for lifesaving research, so that children affected by cancer have a chance to live out their hopes and dreams," said Kathleen Ruddy, chief executive officer of the St. Baldrick's Foundation. "These guys have shown their big hearts throughout the entirety of the campaign and we hope all those out there fighting cancer appreciate their, and their fans', contributions to the cause."

Inspiring a Movement

As a leading manufacturer of hair clippers and other grooming tools, Wahl is declaring itself a resource for organizations and individuals who groom for good. The company is announcing a new program called "Cuts for a Cause" whose mission is to support charitable head-shaving, haircutting and facial hair trimming activities through product donations and monetary contributions. And, like the Head-to-Head Challenge, help raise awareness for non-profit organizations like St. Baldricks.

"As a longtime supporter of charities, Wahl has donated thousands of clippers and facial hair trimmers to help nonprofits and individuals raise money through head shaving, haircutting and facial hair trimming," said Steve Yde, director of marketing for Wahl. "Through Cuts for a Cause, we're simply raising our clippers and trimmers high in the air and letting the world know we're here to help."  

For information about Wahl's Cuts for a Cause effort, visit cutsforacause.org.  Or follow Wahl on Facebook and Twitter #Head2Head.

About St. Baldrick's Foundation
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick's coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick's has awarded more than $127 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick's Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

About WAHL
Wahl Clipper Corporation, based in Sterling, Ill., is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of products for the professional beauty and barber salon trade, consumer personal care and animal grooming. For more information, visit www.wahl.com.

SOURCE Wahl Clipper Corporation