“It’s the best free haircut you’ll ever get.”

That’s how Ryan McMillan, a senior technology support specialist at Palmetto GBA, describes his experience with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. For the past four years, Ryan and his team have participated in the annual fundraising event to raise funds for childhood cancer research by agreeing to shave their heads – or beards in some cases – if they meet their fundraising goal.

“I don’t have much, so I shave what I’ve got,” said Ryan, who has pledged to shave his beard during this year’s event in May.

This year, Ryan has set a personal fundraising goal of $500, but he says he’ll face the clippers whether he meets that goal or not.

“I shave regardless,” he said. “It’s all about just raising funds for the kids.”

Ryan is part of a group called Richard’s Friends who have participated in St. Baldrick’s the past four years in honor of Richard Culliver, the son of a family friend. Richard was diagnosed in 2012 with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – a type of tumor that starts in the brain stem. Two years after his initial diagnosis, Richard lost his battle with DIPG and died at the age of 9.

“When he passed away, we wanted to do something in memory of him,” Ryan said.

Richard’s Friends have raised more than $25,000 since the group began participating in St. Baldrick’s. Of the money raised for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, 73% goes directly to grants to help fund childhood cancer research. And that’s why Ryan keeps participating.

“It’s one thing in adults, but to see it affect a child, that’s the most excruciating thing you could ever witness in your life,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking to see a kid who should be going outside and having fun playing go through cancer treatment. That hits you to your core.”

After this year’s shave, Ryan will grow his beard back to begin fundraising for next year’s St. Baldrick’s event.

“Until there’s no more childhood cancer, I’ll keep doing it.”