One week from today at least five Bermuda women will be sacrificing vanity, or making their lives easier ? depending on how you look at it.

How? The women won't have any hair to grace their features. On the other hand, 'wash and go' will take on new meaning.

These women, and at least eight men plan to go under the razor next Friday at the Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant as part of the St. Baldrick's event staged every year ? all for the good cause of raising money to go towards research benefiting children with cancer.

The event kicks off from 2 p.m., and as in years past is being presided over by IAS chief executive David Ezekiel.

This year there are several teams planning to take the step together. Take the "Bearded Wonders" team ? made up of four men with facial hair.

The group has raised nearly $10,000 of a $25,000 fundraising goal, according to the St. Baldrick's website, which doesn't specify whether the group are shaving their heads or beards?

The popular fundraiser ? which dates back five years and has raised nearly $7 million by now ? gets staged both here and across the US every year on or around St. Patrick's Day.

Last year, 17 Bermuda participants raised in excess of $700,000.

It isn't clear if this year's group can exceed that number ? which is the highest amount ever raised by any St. Baldrick's event ? but two of the women hope to raise $250,000 between them.

Susan Patschak and Shannon Totten, both of Bermuda insurance company Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. are already $100,000 of the way towards that goal, according to the latest figures on the website.

Last-minute pledges on the day of the event, and company matching plans tend to boost the fundraising effort significantly each year.

Other women going bald on Friday include Stacy Grant, Carolyn Fischer and Judith Marsden.

St. Baldrick's was the brainchild of several US-based reinsurance executives.

And in Bermuda, the event continues to attract participants from the Island's flourishing re/insurance industry, but is open to all.

This year industry-participation continues to be strong with ACE, Hannover Re and others from the sector planning to participate.

Ms Patschak, Endurance chief operating officer, is likely the most senior woman executive ever to take part. And according to the website, she could be joined by a chief executive of one of Bermuda's newest reinsurance companies, with a goal to raise $50,000.

To increase the bounty on one of the Bermuda heads, go online to the Bermuda participants page at www.stbaldricks.org.

Donations made through the website will go to the US however you can make sure your donation remains in Bermuda, going to local cancer charity PALS. A separate form for these donations can be obtained by calling 298-5117.

A donation made in Bermuda or the US is considered tax deductible, for US purposes.

Since Bermuda began hosting its own St. Baldrick's event in 2002, participants have raised a total of $1.4 million. And through the years, a number of participants have chosen to take part on behalf of family members suffering from cancer or other serious illness.