By: Madeleine Faircloth
Staff Writer
St. Bonaventure University’s sophomore class is hosting a Bald for Bucks event to raise money and awareness for cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, according to J.W. Cook, the sophomore class president.
On the SBU Team’s Bald for Bucks personal page, 58 members were registered to the SBU Team and they collectively raised over $5,000 out of the $25,000 goal, as of Oct. 7 according to Cook. The original goal of $5,000 was challenged by Fr. Francis Di Spigno OFM, agreeing to shave his head if the new goal is reached.
Many St. Bonaventure students have not only joined the team but also taken the pledge to shave their heads, including a Bald for Bucks veteran Sara Bermingham.
According to Bermingham, a freshman English major, she participated in Bald for Bucks last October for her cousin with Leukemia. Her cousin, now 12, was diagnosed at the age of three and has battled cancer almost her whole life, leading Bermingham and others in her community to donate. She raised about $7,000 in high school and is helping to increase that amount for the SBU Team.
“I’ve never had a bad hair day,” said Bermingham after being asked how it feels, encouraging others to shave their heads as well.
This event has been in the works since early spring of the 2013-2014 academic year, according to Cook. Leah Noonan, a St. Bonaventure graduate, approached the school before, but the sophomore class decided to put the plans into motion for fall 2014.
Noonan, a program coordinator for Bald for Bucks and Teens Living with Cancer, visited campus Wednesday, Oct. 1 for a passport event in which students were able to learn more about her personal battle and the Bald for Bucks organization.
According to Cook, students can participate by joining the SBU Team and raising money, making a general team donation, attending the event and receiving a haircut for $10 that goes to the Bald for Bucks goal or by shaving your head for free. All are welcome and encouraged to help out in any possible way according to Cook.
“We would love you to see the community come out and get a haircut on October 18th at noon here at St. Bonaventure” Cook said on community involvement.
For more information or to donate, visit the St. Bonaventure University’s Class of 2017 Facebook page and click on the link posted by J.W. Cook. The event will be held on Oct. 18 from 12-4:30 p.m. in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
