How much would you pay to see a friend's head be shaved?

Or better yet, would you shed your locks to raise money for kids with cancer?

These are the questions that come up every year when the St. Baldrick's Foundation comes to town.

According to the group's Web site, the three friends who created the nonprofit thought that since kids often lose their hair during treatment, shaving their heads on St. Patrick's Day might be a good fundraiser —- thus the name. They were right.

Over the past nine years, according to St. Baldrick's, more than $34 million has been raised for childhood cancer research by getting volunteers to shave their heads and their friends and family to pledge donations.

Donal and Karen Fleming of Dunwoody found out about St. Baldrick's in 2002 while attending a St. Patrick's Day parade in Atlanta. They were instantly interested.

Their daughter, Ciara, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that causes soft tissue tumors, at 23 months old. They know firsthand how costly childhood cancer is.

In 2003, the family organized a St. Baldrick's event at Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead and have continued the tradition ever since.

"It's a very large fundraiser, one where we felt very motivated to get involved," said Karen. "Plus, we're Irish and the foundation has an Irish twist, so it adds something extra for us."

Ciara, now 8 years old, and in her fifth year of remission, helps too. If she's not on the stage doing a little Irish dancing, you may catch her playing barber.

"Ciara has been an ambassador for St. Baldrick's since 2003," said Donal. "It really helps for people to see her and see the success of cancer research. Our friend Suzy shaved her head and Ciara got to take the first swipe with the buzzer. It meant a lot to Suzy that Ciara was the one to do it."

Donal Fleming volunteers as a "shavee" every year.

"Once I had a mohawk for a day or two and frightened all my neighbors," he said . "It's great fun."

Joe Wilson is returning this year for his third trip to the St. Baldrick's barbershop.

"When I first heard about it I thought, 'Wow, shave my head? I can't do that,'" said Wilson, a 32-year-old Atlantan. "But after becoming a parent and realizing how much you could love and care for one thing, and to be fortunate enough to have a healthy child, I couldn't help but attach to the cause."

Each year, Wilson said, he raises his goal by about $1,500.

To make the deal a little more interesting for those who want to see him bald, Wilson has not cut his thick, curly hair all year.

"I put lots of gel in it every day, but if I pull it long it goes all the way to my shoulders."

His goal is to raise $5,000 this year, and he has about $1,000 to go.

"You know, each year after the event, I walk into work with a bald head," Wilson said. "It's a pretty funny sight, but for these kids it's something very real. They have no choice but to be bald. If shaving my head can help them in any way, then shaving my head is a very easy thing to do."

IF YOU GO

Upcoming St. Baldrick's events on the Northside

> 2-7 p.m., March 14: Fado Irish Pub Buckhead Avenue, Atlanta.

> 1-5 p.m. March 15: Meehan's Public Ale House; 227 Sandy Springs Place, Sandy Springs

> 2-5 p.m., March 16: The Harp Irish Pub, 1425 Market Blvd., Roswell

> 2-6 p.m., March 17: Loafing Leprechaun, 3070 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta

More info: www.stbaldricks.org