It was billed as the ‘Dodger Shave Party for Childhood Cancer Awareness,’ but what it ended up being was 27-year-old Dodger outfielder Yasiel Puig putting a smile on everyone’s face, especial for 15 young cancer patients from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Pediatric Hematology and Oncology department.

“We are phenomenally grateful to the Dodgers organization for this,” said Dr. Charles Simmons, professor and chairman of pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “It’s a great team effort, and we feel very privileged to serve the families and communities that need our services.

“The kids and their families are so resilient, and we are reminded all the time that it’s not just about yourself and how you adapt, but the people around you, and the Dodgers give them a sense of self and part of a team effort. It’s very impactful,” Dr. Simmons added.

A young cancer patient gets the shave party started with the first cut.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Puig volunteered for the event, which was part of the Dodgers week-long LA Community Tour, as a show of solidarity with young cancer patients currently undergoing cancer treatment, which often results in the loss of their hair. He certainly didn’t have to do it, but the Cienfuegos, Cuba native made it abundantly clear that he absolutely wanted to do it.

“I get excited to do this for the kids,” Puig said. “These kids are fighting for their lives. I want to come here for the kids. I like children. Sometimes they have situations like these with cancer, spend a lot of time in the hospital, have a lot of surgeries. Maybe this makes them excited, and that’s why I want to do something for the kids. And I like it.”

And the kids like Puig … and the pizzas and juice that the Dodgers provided for them and their families.

You certainly can’t have a party without pizza.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In addition to the Dodger outfielder, several other Dodgers employees volunteered to have their heads shaved … including one brave soul who let Puig do the cutting.

#PuigYourBarber
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

“It’s so amazing to see them out of the hospital, in regular clothes, not getting medication or not feeling well, just being kids,” said pediatric oncologist Dr. Shivani Upadhyay. “It’s really fun as providers to see them enjoy themselves.”

A now-shaved Yasiel Puig poses for a group photo with the young cancer patients on hand for the first annual Dodgers Shave Party. (Photo credit – Juan Ocampo)

After being shaved, which included his mustache, Puig spent considerable time sporting his new look and taking photos with the kids and their families. To see the joy on the faces of these youngsters was priceless, especially for one beautiful young child who struggled to even walk.

This precious young cancer patient struggled to walk, yet look at the smile that Puig put on her beautiful face.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

For those who still insist on finding reasons to criticize or dislike Yasiel Puig – both on and off the field – allow me to say this…

You don’t know Yasiel Puig – period.