Brave the Shave’s mission is to honor and support area families impacted by childhood disease. The Fund, guided by the Board of Directors, provides services and support to honoree families to help make a difference in their fight. The intention is to lessen families’ burdens so they can focus on what’s most important – the child’s health.

In 2009, Pat Schrager shaved his head for the first time as part of the St. Baldricks Foundation’s annual fundraiser. This one day led to years of supporting the foundation’s mission toward childhood cancer research. Four years after that first shave, Pat moved to Grand Rapids and, shortly after, revived the Grand Rapids chapter of St. Baldrick’s Foundation. After years of raising awareness for pediatric cancer, Pat saw a need for a shift in support. Brave the Shave was created in 2022 to support local families and hospitals directly, as well as increase awareness for childhood disease in Western Michigan. Rather than a focus on research, Brave the Shave expanded its efforts to support families in the throes of their journey with childhood illness. Whether it’s a grocery bill covered or a family outing during a medical visit, we want to take away as much stress from the experience as we can. Without the burden of extra bills piling up, these families can focus on showering their children with love and support.