It was standing-room-only in a packed Emmaus High School gymnasium March 22 as over 120 men and women entered the pediatric cancer research fundraising event with a full head of hair and left as "shavees" to help raise money for cancer research.

Emotions ran high at the event. Many of those who crammed the gymnasium wept openly as more than a dozen families opened the event with personal stories of their loved ones who had or were continuing to battle pediatric cancer.

Some were stories of victories of loved ones who had overcome pediatric cancer and were in remission. Some were touching stories of courage amid the ravages of chemotherapy and other treatments. And, sadly, there were stories of loved ones who had succumbed and were terribly missed.

As the event moved to the shaving of the heads of those who had raised contribution pledges for the sacrifice of their hair, there were cheers of encouragement and support. And more tears at seeing the courage it took, especially for young women approaching the spring prom season, to sit down and let their tresses fall to the floor around them.

Ninety men and women had signed up ahead of time and sought the pledge support. Spurred on by their classmates or friends, another 30 or more stepped forward as "walk ons" with the promise of additional contributions.

It's not uncommon for a young male athlete to look like they've just joined the Marines and gone through the recruit shaved head look. In many ways it is a macho look that draws envious stares from friends and fellow students. It's "the look" that denotes the "guy's guy." It is different though with females. Seeing a woman with a shared head often denotes "chemotherapy," or rebellion, or goodness knows what else.

That's why the "Emmaus Shave for the Brave" event carries several meanings.

On one level it says, "don't be ashamed" to those who have lost their hair to cancer treatment. It says, "be brave, we understand and we are with you." On another level, Emmaus "Shave for the Brave" says "I'm scared to shave my head, and perhaps be the recipient of stares and ridicule, but I'll be brave to help you be brave, and I'll try and help raise money for pediatric cancer research so maybe some day we can find the cure."

Emmaus High School teacher and track coach Shannon Petrunak organized the first Emmaus "Shave for the Brave" event as a tribute to her mother, Stefanie Kosaber, of Penn Run, in Indiana County.

Kosabar is a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in 2009, she had a mastectomy in 2010 and is still cancer-free in 2013. This was not the first time Petrunak became a "shavee," and it is probably not the last time she will pay tribute to her mother's courage in this way.

In 2010, the event raised $25,000. In 2011, the event raised just shy of $40,000. This year it looks like the total will top $45,000 to go to pediatric cancer research. That's quite a tribute to the courage of Stefanie Kosabar and the determination of her daughter.

Petrunak gave the credit though, to the "strength of our honoree families who have experienced or are dealing with the nightmare of childhood cancer. I thank them for their willingness to share their most personal and raw emotions with us."

Petrunak said over the weekend she did not know the total of those who went under the shears. "It's difficult to say, as people were jumping into the chairs left and right by the end of the night." She said the stories of "those involved personally with pediatric childhood cancer were so motivating. Their testimonies just inspired so many to want to jump in and help make a difference."

Petrunak said "our goals will be even higher [next year]."

Those willing to help can still donate this year. Go to the website emmausshavefor thebrave.com and you will be directed to www. stbaldricks. org/events/ Emmaus and be directed how you can help.