Volunteers Shave it Off for Cancer
By: Charlie De Mar
Updated: October 1, 2012
September is childhood cancer awareness and this afternoon local supporters came to shave their hair off in support of the cause.
Organizers of today's event tell me that funding for childhood cancer is often overlooked for more common types of cancers, which is why events like today's are so important because the money raised supports those families who have a child with cancer.
Amy Truong is a medical student, and organized today's fundraiser. She says once she learned about the cause---she couldn't resist getting involved.
"This is a little bit more extreme than usual, I never thought about shaving my head until I heard about the St. Baldrick's foundation it never really came across my mind to go completely bald," said Truong
While many voluntarily did away with their hair this afternoon, Ebony Fawcet-- a 7 year old cancer survivor shared the reality of loosing her hair.
"I felt scared because I didn't want people to see me like that," said Fawcett.
The money raised today went to the St. Baldrick's foundation--an organization dedicated to funding childhood cancer research... Dr. Dennis O'Brien, an oncologist at Lutheran Children's hospital says that Ebony is living example as to why childhood cancer research is necessary.
"Ebony is kind of a beneficiary of all the kids before her who have had that type and stage of tumor that didn't survive," said O'Brien.
Ebony has been cancer free for just about a year---and O'Brien says she is a symbol of hope to all families who have a child with cancer.
For more information: http://www.stbaldricks.org/
