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‘Bald for Bucks’ benefits Roswell Park by Donna M. Webb
The locks were flying for a good cause at Connor Middle School last Friday, as faculty and students received some extreme haircuts, all to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute. About 50 participants in the “Bald for Bucks” program got shorn in the biggest event of its kind in Western New York. When Jason Bogue, an eighth-grader, was asked what he was thinking about as teacher Jim Randles cut his hair, he responded, “I’m wondering what the heck he is doing with my head!” While the boys went bald, the girls who could spare at least 10 inches of hair donated it to “Locks for Love.” This program takes girls’ cut hair and fashions wigs for female cancer patients who must undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy and, thereby, lose their own hair. Sixth-grade student Maggie DeMarco say she decided to take part this year because “by raising money for cancer, you are giving more than just your hair.” Chris DeMarco, Maggie’s dad, asked her how she felt after the deed was done. Looking at her hair, Maggie responded, “There’s, like, none left!” Everyone who participated in Bald for Bucks received a black knit cap with a visor. They were donated by New Era, an Angola company that makes Major League Baseball hats. The girls who donated hair also received a Team Cure T-shirt . Eighth-grader Thomas McDonnell said he had a good use in mind when he decided to take some of the boys’ hair clippings home with him. His brother’s friend puts cut hair outside for the birds in the spring so that they can use it to build nests. While Seventh-grader Joe Rains said of his new look, “I can't go like this (swish his hair from side to side) anymore!”
Teacher sports a Mohawk Randles pointed out had he sported a curly Mohawk at the start of Bald for Bucks. He told his class earlier, “Let’s make this interesting.” Randles explained he had bet his class that they could not raise $100 in pledge money, but if they did, he agreed he would have his hair cut. Surprisingly, in two days, his class had raised $106. By March 10, his students had brought in more than $200 for Roswell. When Randles told his class, “You pick a hairstyle for me,” the students responded, “OK – Mohawk!” He then went to a local salon to have his hair cut. “They couldn’t believe I did it. They got a big joke out of it,” he said. Personal Connection “I have a personal connection to it,” Middle School Principal Bruce Benson said when asked what he thought of this benefit for cancer victims. “The girl who inspired this was one of my high school students in North Collins.” Benson said her name was Cathleen George, and she was also the drum majorette in the North Collins High School Band, which he directed. According to “Goin’ Bald for Bucks: A History,” written by her brother, Tony, Cathy George learned she had cancer in 1998 and again in 2000. After various rounds of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and T-cell replacement, her cancer had gone into remission. Benson noted, “She kept a very positive attitude throughout her treatments.” When Cathy learned she had a brain tumor and three tumors on her lung in 2002, she continued her fight. At that time, Tony promised his sister he would shave his head and not let his hair grow back until Cathy’s did, too. When Tony told his students at Lake Shore High School about this, one of them jokingly said he would pay Tony if the teacher would allow him to do the shaving. That is how “Bald for Bucks” got its start. Sadly, Cathy lost her struggle with cancer in March 2004. “Cathleen might have lost her battle, but it is in memory of her that we forge on to win the war,” Tony said. He is thrilled with the success. “Last year, 10 educational institutions were on board to raise an unprecedented $92,000,” Tony pointed out. Donations Still Being Accepted “Team Cure Event” is the name given to fund-raisers like this one, held by an outside group to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute. “We have over 250 Team Cure Events throughout the year, but this is the largest by far,” said Lynsey Zimdahl, senior event coordinator. She explained that more than $150,000 has been raised for Roswell by the schools that have participated in Bald for Bucks since 2002. “Connor Middle School is one of the originals,” Zimdahl said. “They have stayed with us.” Connor Middle School teacher Bill Brodie, coordinator for Bald for Bucks, explained, “Lakeshore High School started it. We jumped on board four years ago.” Brodie said most of the participants on March 10 were students, but there were a few teachers as well. In all, 10 schools are taking part this year, with events to be held on different dates. Brodie said about $8,500 has been raised thus far on Grand Island, with donations still being accepted. If you would like to donate money to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute or for more information, contact Brodie through the Connor Middle School at 773-8830.
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