Alex Slitz/Daily NewsBowling Green resident Mandy Lockhart stands with her 16-year-old son, Kane Martin, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in April 2008. After 13 rounds of chemotherapy and a surgery, Kane is now cancer-free.

Bowling Green mom Mandy Lockhart is putting her money where her mouth is – or in this case her head – to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer, the No. 1 disease killer of children in the United States.

Lockhart, the mother of 16-year-old cancer survivor and Greenwood High School sophomore Kane Martin, is taking part in a nationwide effort by a group of women who plan to shave their heads and raise $1 million for cancer research. The event, called “46 Mommas Shave for the Brave” will benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds childhood cancer research.

Lockhart is one of 46 team members – the number representing the average number of kids diagnosed with cancer each day – who are currently organizing donations through St. Baldrick’s – a fusion of St. Patrick’s Day and bald – which contributed more than $12 million to cancer research in 2009.

St. Baldrick’s was started on March 17, 2000, in New York, when a St. Patrick’s Day party was turned into a benefit for kids with cancer.

This year’s national head shaving event is set for Sept. 13, during Children Cancer Awareness Month and the group is working to have it televised. The team so far includes 41 shavees from across the county, meaning five more women are needed, said Lockhart, adding that the group has already raised $16,000 toward its goal.

Lockhart is one of two moms from Kentucky participating in the event. She was inspired to do so, she said, by her son, who was diagnosed at age 14 with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer found only in children.

Kane underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove four inches of bone in his leg, then another five rounds of chemo, missing his entire freshman year of high school. He is now cancer-free and just celebrated his 16th birthday.

“It’s cool to see all of these people who want to see what it’s like for cancer patients to be bald,” said Kane, adding that it will be especially fun to see if his mom can “pull off the bald look” as successfully as he did.

“He is so smart that he stayed caught up on his school work and did not fall behind while he was sick,” Lockhart said, adding that her son also managed to maintain his high grades while enduring treatment.

During the 10 months her son battled cancer, Lockhart met many other children fighting the disease, some losing their struggle. “I tell everyone who will listen that kids get cancer, too,” she said. “I’ve joined online groups to raise awareness and support other families of children fighting cancer, but that is just not enough. I want to do more.”

Lockhart, an employee of Camping World, has come up with creative ways to donate for those who might not want to become shavees. A donation of $4 is for the 4 inches of bone removed from Kane’s leg, while donations of $13 represent the 13 rounds of chemo Kane received. Lockhart also is asking for $16 donations to celebrate Kane’s birthday.

Anyone can donate and aunts and grandmothers are eligible to join the effort as well. “We thought it would be more impactful for women to shave their heads,” Lockhart said.

Although a large number of events take place in March, St. Baldrick’s events happen all year and September has also become a popular time for events.

To date, more than 106,000 volunteers have shaved their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer at more than 2,400 events in 50 states and 24 countries, according to the organization.

For more information, write St. Baldrick’s Foundation, 1333 South Mayflower Ave., Suite 400, Monrovia, CA 91016 or call (888) 899-BALD (2253). Donations made to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation are tax deductible in the U.S.

To donate directly to Lockhart’s team, go to www.stbaldricks.org/participants/kanesmom.

Write to St. Baldrick’s Foundation, 1333 S. Mayflower Ave., Suite 400, Monrovia, CA 91016 or call (888) 899-BALD (2253). Donations made to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation are tax deductible in the U.S.

To donate to Lockhart’s team, visit www.stbaldricks.org

/participants/kanesmom.