The 46 Mommas: Shave for the Brave

St. Baldrick’s 46 Mommas represent all mothers who make the cancer journey with their children. We come from across the U.S. and Canada, bringing different backgrounds, beliefs, and lifestyles along with us, but there is one thing we all have in common – childhood cancer.

"As soon as the Mommas come together, there is an unspoken understanding that we have all walked the same path. We have trembled with terror on diagnosis day, wept during our children’s first chemo or radiation, walked the floors of hospitals unshowered, exhausted, and wracked with fear," said Timaree Marston, a Momma who shaved her head at our 2019 event. "Whether our children survive, lose their lives, or are still in the fight, we are determined to stay strong for all of them. "

We are dedicated to making a difference by shaving our heads to help fund research and have raised more than $2 million for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation since our inaugural event in 2010. Each year, a new class of Mommas is welcomed to the team in an effort to empower and engage mothers of children who have or had cancer, and to provide a sisterhood of support.


In 2010 the 46 Mommas set a goal of raising $1 million for childhood cancer research, shaved our heads in Los Angeles, and represent St. Baldrick's Foundation at the nationally televised Stand Up to Cancer telethon.

The 2011 team shaved in Washington, DC and visited Capitol Hill to meet with various members of Congress and advocate for the Creating Hope Act at the Second Annual Childhood Cancer Summit.

Returning to the West Coast, the 2012 46 Mommas team included cancer moms from Canada among our ranks for the first time – representing Childhood Cancer Canada. This international bond highlights how the devastation of childhood cancer is not limited to one country and the money raised by the 46 Mommas for research will benefit children all over the world.

The 2013 46 Mommas team gathered in San Antonio for a Texas-sized celebration shave of the team reaching – and surpassing – the original $1 million-dollar fundraising goal!


The 5th annual 46 Mommas event was a “wicked awesome” shave held in July 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Mayor Marty Walsh, a childhood cancer survivor himself, was able to attend. 

In 2015, the 46 Mommas held their first Midwest event and shaved in the “City of Fountains,” Kansas City, Missouri. 

For our Lucky 7 Shave in 2016, there was no better place for the 46 Mommas to go than Las Vegas, Nevada! We honored the roots of the first St. Baldrick's pub events and held our shave at McMullan's Irish Pub.

In 2017, the 46 Mommas boogied back to Texas! We hit our second million at our 8th national event in the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas! 


The Mommas stormed our Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. – for our April 2018 event turning our attention to the passage and funding of the Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act. The Mommas represented states from Maine to Hawaii, met with our Congressional leaders and our advocacy helped the STAR Act pass unanimously and be signed into law. 

46 Mommas DC 2019: Together We’re Gold Event was the 10th anniversary for the 46 Mommas! The mommas participated in 82 meetings on Capitol Hill to advocate for more funding for childhood cancer research, presenting three legislative requests: 

- An increase in National Institute of Health and National Cancer Institute funding

- Full funding for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act in for the fiscal year of 2020

- Co-sponsorship of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA)

Over the two days, the Mommas inspired other advocates to send over 600 emails to elected officials and following the event, an additional eight Senators and eleven Representatives signed on as cosponsors of PCHETA. The bill was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives in October 2019!

We’re busy planning, preparing, and brainstorming for what 2020 has in store for the 46 Mommas. With your support, we look forward to making the biggest impact yet. Thank you in advance for joining the 46 Mommas community as we continue to search for a cure for pediatric cancer.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation: As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is leading the charge to take childhood back from cancer. St. Baldrick’s funds some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts who are working to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them. Join us at StBaldricks.org to help support the best childhood cancer research, no matter where it takes place.