Second-year College student Victoria Chin has long, curly hair reaching all the way down to her elbows. She said she’s never worn it above her shoulders. In less than two weeks, though, Chin will be entirely bald.
Chin is one of about 50 University students who will have their heads completely shaved on stage in front of a large, cheering audience to raise money for children’s cancer research March 26. The event, which will be held at Boylan Heights this year, features music, door prizes and a large crowd of spectators.
This year marks the fourth consecutive year the University has participated in St. Baldrick’s, an annual event held in 48 states and 18 countries, said fourth-year College student and event coordinator Danie LaRock.
The global foundation, which was started in 2000, has raised more than $50 million. During the past three years, LaRock said, University students raised more than $150,000.
Although many participants have raised money for months, students still can sign up or even decide to participate while at the event, fourth-year College student Bailey Morton said.
Last year, around 200 people came to show support for the participants, Chin said, and it is likely that support will be even greater this year.
Chin said she is on a team with a fellow shavee, and the two have raised more than $1,800 thus far.
“I sent out letters to friends and family back home, I have a Facebook group with a link [where people can donate], we have bar nights, we sell cups and stuff like that,” she said.
LaRock described the St. Baldrick’s fundraising process as similar to a charity walk or run because participants find sponsors in family, friends, businesses and even complete strangers.
It was more difficult to find sponsors this year though, both Larock and Morton said. They attribute the decrease in donations to the current economic recession because many people cut back on their charitable giving. LaRock said this year, like last year, University participants set a collective goal of $60,000. In 2008, “we had basically reached our goal by the time the event happened,” LaRock said. “Right now we’re at about $18,000, [which is] about 30 percent of our goal.”
Still, LaRock emphasized, every little bit helps. “We have so many participants this year, [so] it really adds up,” LaRock said. Morton agreed, adding that many donations are as small as 50 cents or $1 but still are appreciated.
Second-year College student Mark Manning, who attended the event last year but will shave for the first time this year, said he set his fundraising goal at $500. Manning has already raised more than $150 and plans to send out letters and seek donations at the event itself.
“I don’t know if I’m going to reach it,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Additionally, Manning plans to donate his hair — which is now about 10 inches long — to an organization that will use it to make wigs for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer and have lost their own hair.
“I feel like if I have something to give that somebody else needs, and I don’t need it ... Well, then I should go ahead and do that,” Manning said.
Although he has never personally lost someone to cancer, Manning said he saw the disease affect those close to him.
“When I was younger, my mom’s best friend passed away from cancer, and last year a well-liked P.E. teacher from my high school died [of cancer],” he said. “Seeing how deeply it impacts other people makes me want to do something about it.”
LaRock said she also does not have any personal connection with children’s cancer but sympathizes with those facing the disease. “I feel for these children,” she said. “I can’t imagine having to face such a terrible problem at such a young age.”
LaRock, who shaved her head last year for St. Baldrick’s, plans to do it again at this year’s event. “It’s a good life-changing experience,” she said. She did note, however, that it was nerve-wracking. “When you’re used to having long hair, you kind of identify with it. You’re just really used to your ponytail and can’t picture yourself without it. I was definitely nervous about [how I would look] last year.”
Chin’s family members were initially skeptical of her decision for similar reasons. “My parents didn’t really think it was a great idea at first, just because they really like my hair,” she said. “But it’ll grow back, and other than that they’ve been really supportive.”
Furthermore, she said she only has heard good things about undergoing this physical change. “From looking at pictures [of previous shavees], I think everyone would be surprised to see how attractive girls look bald,” she said. “I haven’t talked to anyone who said they regretted it.”
Morton, who is shaving her head for the second time, agreed. “It was scary, that’s for sure. I was worried I’d get lots of strange looks walking around.” She said she was surprised to find that her newly bald head did not receive any negative reactions; instead, she got a lot of positive feedback and felt that the process was a “big confidence boost.”
“It’s only hair,” she said. “Your hair grows back.”
Chin added that this year is the first time that more girls are signed up than boys. “I think it’s harder for girls to let go of their hair. But when a girl who has long hair [shaves it], it makes a really profound impact on the crowd.”
The environment of the event, Manning said, is comforting and supportive of shavees who may be initially shocked by the appearances of their own bald heads. “There’s just a lot of social support,” he said. “And after the event, you notice the other people [who shaved their heads] around Grounds. There’s a great sense of solidarity.”
With the event only a week away, Manning said he’s ready to go. “I’m kind of nervous but I’m way more excited about how it’s going to feel,” he said.
Chin said she is more excited than nervous as well. “It’ll be fun to experiment with,” she said, “and it’ll be great to wake up and not have to do anything to get ready.” Her biggest worry, she said, is braving the winter weather with her new ‘do. “I am going to be bald,” she said, “I hope it’s not still really cold out.”
For Manning, March 26 could not come soon enough. The process of growing out his hair, he said, has not been an easy one.
“Having my hair this long is the hardest part,” he said. “I’m sick of it. Washing it takes forever, drying it takes forever, it gets in my face all the time ... I’m ready to get rid of it.”
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