Unplugged Under 40: Va. Beauty Queen Shaves Her Head

Amidst a media frenzy and a room full of supporters, Wheeler and four others shed their locks on Monday night at event sponsored by the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

St. Baldrick's raises money for pediatric cancer research as volunteers solicit donations by offering to shave their heads. Wheeler says the cause is one that's been close to her heart for years, but it was experiences during her time as Miss Virginia that brought her to this moment.

She first met four-year-old Jessie while serving as an ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network.

"When I saw how upset Jessie was about losing her hair, and I knew how she would feel when her hero, the former Miss Virginia was bald too, it really showed me that this was a way I could be worthy of all these children looking up to me. And hopefully I've made a step toward doing that," she said.

Since making the pledge to shave her head in March, Wheeler has raised close to $50,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Watch Wednesday's "Washington Unplugged" above to see an interview with Wheeler, which follows a discussion of the Obama administration's use of "czars."

"Washington Unplugged" appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.