Remember that tear-jerking episode of Sex & the City where Smith shaved his head as a gesture to show his support of Samantha when she got cancer? That's kind of what's going on this weekend as part of the global fundraising effort by St. Baldrick's, an organization that's leading the fight against childhood cancer.

St. Baldrick's was founded only a decade ago by 17 people in Pasadena who didn't want to waste their St. Patrick's Day getting day drunk. Instead, they vowed to raise $17,000 on March 17. The event more than surpassed expectations, raising $104,000.

Now the St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised and donated more funding towards childhood cancer research grants than any other organization besides the United States Government. The event has spread to 24 countries and all 50 US states. They have raised over a total of $74 million with more than 130,000 volunteers shaving their heads in solidarity with children battling cancer and peers donating to the cause.

This year in Las Vegas, many local celebrities are getting in on the act as well. Barry Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse along with multiple N9NE Group staff members are participating, including President Andy Belmonti, Rain General Manager Ian Clement, and bartender Johnny O'Donnell.

Yesterday, Nove Italiano's chef Geno Bernardo received a mohawk, Nove logo, and a green tint to his locks before he says goodbye to them tomorrow at McMullan's Irish Pub, this year's St. Baldrick's headquarters. It is at the bar that St. Baldrick's main event will be held Saturday from 2 pm until 3 am when more than 300 volunteers are expected to participate in the shave-a-thon.

McMullan's isn't the only Irish pub in the area to join the fight. Fado Irish Pub in Henderson and Nine Fine Irishmen in New York-New York are showing their support of the cause at this year's event. Depending on weather conditions, some Strip shaving will occur for the first time on New York-New York's Brooklyn Bridge.

Brian McMullan, Las Vegas publican said, "Over 72,000 heads were shaved last year, raising some $50 million, and we know here in Las Vegas, we will certainly add to that this year with even more volunteers willing to go unadorned."

There's no doubt that McMullan was right about Las Vegas' dedication to the cause. To date, Vegas locals have raised more than $350,000 for St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Cirque du Soleil has also put forth their effort into helping the battle against childhood cancer with the advance fundraiser by Cirque du SoBald at Rain. The fundraiser, Circus Couture 2010: Incognito, consisted of a fashion show and art auction with all proceeds benefiting St. Baldrick's and the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases of Las Vegas. There were also performances by dancers, acrobats, and aerialists incorporated into the event. Circus Couture's organizers have already decided to do the fundraiser again next year but on a larger scale, hoping the beat the 600 or so attendees and the $30,000 they raised. And that's without even losing a strand of hair!

The Las Vegas event at McMullan's is touted as one of St. Baldrick's "Top Events" on their website with a goal of $200,000. So far, we've already got $145,750.92 and I believe we can top the objective 200k. Just get down to McMullan's, Fado, or Nine Fine Irishmen tomorrow to support a great cause and say "Sayonara!" to those strands!