By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Amid smiles and tears, songs and cheers, dozens of good-hearted folks sacrificed their hair Sunday in solidarity with the thousands of young cancer patients who have no choice about going bald.
Christine Nelson reacts as Jordan Black cuts her hair.
Students and others were lined up Sunday for the fifth St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser at Bowling Green State University. Cassie Mere, the coordinator of the fundraiser, said when she presented herself as a candidate to lead the event which is sponsored by National Residence Hall Honorary along with the Office of Residence Life, she stated she would not have her head shaved. But Sunday morning, caught up in the spirit, she was sporting a new clean clipped hairdo. The more she learned about the cause the more she wanted to participate.
The event will top $100,000 raised by the BGSU / St. Baldrick’s Day event since it was started to raise money to support the fight against childhood cancer. The goal for Sunday was $22,000, and as of Monday morning it had collected $16,161 with donations still coming in. In all 89 heads were shaved. Participants were mainly students, but others, including Mere’s grandfather and her boyfriend’s little brother, also got shaved.
As Caitlyn VanDyke’s auburn tresses fell from her head, she held of a lock of her hair and contemplated it. Within minutes she was bald, smiling at the strange sensation of rubbing her exposed scalp.
She was inspired by a high school friend “who lost the battle to cancer.”
Leading up to the event she’s been talking up St. Baldrick’s. She secured $550 in pledges.
VanDyke isn’t concerned about the questions her new look will prompt. “I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I’m excited. I’m proud. It’s not a big deal to me. It’s just hair. It will grow back.”
Some women surrendered their long cultivated ponytails. Mere said that the event works with Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which uses hair to make wigs for cancer patients. Sunday’s event yielded 40 ponytails for donation.
Zach Beach was participating for his third year. He stops getting a haircut for several months before to achieve the maximum effect. He’s graduating this year, but still plans to search out a St. Baldrick’s event wherever he ends up.
Beach remembers fielding questions from his family when he first got his hair cut off three years ago at the event. He did it as a spontaneous gesture, and hadn’t told anyone. Afterward he met his family at Easy Street Café for dinner.
There were surprised and peppered him with questions. “It was a great opportunity to explain why I did it.”
Those explanations are part of raising the awareness.
Emily Baker wore a button inviting questions: “Ask Me Why I’m Bald.” A junior majoring in Inclusive Early Education, she’s doing field work in a Catholic School in Toledo.
She teaches three-year-olds, and she sent out a newsletter to parents earlier this year to let them know. Still she expects many questions from toddlers for weeks to come.
The haircuts were courtesy of Ambrosia Salon and Spa.
Caitlyn VanDyke gets her hair shorn by Audra Tolles.
The hair stylists from the salon have been involved since the beginning. As willing as they are to give up a Sunday for the cause, they laughed and all responded “no” when asked if they themselves would give up their hair.
Audra Tolles said her daughter got her hair cut off last year. “She’s very brave,” she said. “She wanted to make a difference.”
Sam Roszman, a 12-year-old cancer patient and his family, came to cheer on the participants and remind them of the meaning of the event.
“He’s our hero,” said his mom, Jodi Roszman.
Sam was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008. He was treated then, but had to undergo treatment again in 2012. He suffered through all the headaches, nausea and hair loss.
He has done his best to maintain a smile throughout, his mother said. When he was diagnosed the second time, he reassured his parents. “It’s going to be OK.”
Ever a 12-year-old though, he blurted out “I don’t remember that.”
Now every cold or flu prompts new concerns of a bigger problem, his mother said.
From left clockwise, Cassie Mere, Brandon Kohler and Will Kohler pose after getting their hair cut.
She appreciates the St. Baldrick’s Foundation because all the money it raises goes toward childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death among children. The American Cancer Society spends 4 percent of its resources on childhood cancer research.
Her voice cracking she thanked all the participants for their efforts.
Then, Sam had his chance. Armed with a pair of clippers, he took a few swipes through the hair of Jacob Haun, hall director for Founders Hall.
He smiled the whole time.
