CAIRO — Seven is often a lucky number, but for Karen Singletary, it is the number of times she has shaved her head for a good cause. 

Singletary made the long trek from Cairo to Austin, Texas, last week to take part in St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s head-shaving event “46 Mommas Shave for the Brave” — her seventh of the organization’s eight events. 

The event aims to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research. 

“All the funds go to research,” Singletary said. 

The reason for the head shaving is personal to Singletary. In 2006, Singletary’s son Zach was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. 

Now 15 years old, Zach shows no signs of the cancer. Medullboblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children, according to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. 

Along with her personal perspective to take part in the event, Singletary said the weekend helps to bring together other mothers whose children have been stricken with cancer. 

“I think the whole weekend ends up being about camaraderie and friendships,” she said.  

Singletary added the weekend was filled with “a lot of highs and lows,” as a fellow mother lost her daughter to a cancer relapse seven weeks prior to the event. 

The seventh-time “shavee” added if hair is long enough, it can be donated after the event — another way to help children stricken with cancer. 

“It changes your whole perspective,” Singletary said. “Hair is just cells.” 

She added, “Hair grows back — kids don’t.” 

The “46 Mommas Shave for the Brave” started in 2010. The name originated to show the reality of, on average, 46 mothers being told their child has cancer each day, according to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.