Zack Saucier woke up Friday with a full head of hair but went to sleep that night shaven bald.The petroleum engineering freshman sat down, lost his locks and walked away happy because his new haircut helped fund children’s cancer research.Saucier joined other University students for a local St. Baldrick’s charity event organized by kinesiology senior Tabitha Tate.St. Baldrick’s raises money through volunteers shaving their heads as a symbol of caring for young cancer victims, according to their Web Site.These volunteers have friends and family sponsor their shaving by donating to cancer research.Tate said she learned of the organization from her boss and thought it would be a great way to help such a worthy cause.”I’ve had cancer twice so it meant a lot to me,” Tate said.Six people dared to lose their hair for good, while seven others donated money, Tate said.She hopes to raise more than $1,000 through the event, and she will continue accepting donations online through the St. Baldrick’s Web site.Saucier said he didn’t expect to shave his head Friday, but he couldn’t say no to such a good cause.”Having a shaved head, it feels good, a lot cooler,” Saucier said. “And helping out feels pretty good too.”Tate said she wants to hold another St. Baldrick’s event in the near future and hopes to get the word out better next time.”We can do a lot of good and reach a lot of people if we just get the word out,” Tate said.St. Baldrick’s sponsors events only if a licensed barber performs the haircutting, so Tate said no one needs to worry about receiving a “messy job.”Tate said she’s glad people were willing to shave their heads because the event gives cancer victims more than just money.”I know that someone with cancer, they like to see other people willing to say, ‘Hey, I understand’,” Tate said.She said she knows a shaved head doesn’t compare to dealing with chemotherapy, but children like to see other people trying to help.”When students shave their heads, they don’t realize how big a difference their making, but the kids notice,” Tate said.St. Baldrick’s has raised more than $50 million for cancer research by holding events in 48 states and 18 countries.So far 72,000 people have shaved their heads through St. Baldrick’s during its nine years of activity.St. Baldrick’s welcomes any student to organize an event, but they require a background check on all event treasurers and barbers.
Contact Peter Hubbs [email protected]