Two student organizations from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine recently collaborated to raise more than $3,000美元用于儿童癌症研究.
The Oncology Interest Group (OncIG) and Pediatric Interest Group (PIG) worked together on the “Shave to Save St. Baldrick的 Fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer 研究.”
A total of 11 people shaved their heads as part of the event, either to raise money or show solidarity for the cause.
Alicia Bui, M2, president, OncIG called the event “a huge success.”
“Our goal initially was $1,000 and we tripled that so I’m really happy,” 她说. “And I was really happy to see so many new faces at the event, including an M4.”
也许最重要的是, 她说, the event helps raise awareness to childhood pediatric cancer research.
根据其网站，圣. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer- and donor-powered charity dedicated to raising money for lifesaving childhood cancer research, and funds more in childhood cancer grants than any organization except for the U.S. 政府.
Since the foundation's first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick's has invested more than $342 million in childhood research grants worldwide.
At OUWB, the OncIG hosts a fundraiser annually.
Marlee Mason-Maready, M4, has her head shaved during the fundraiser. |
Prior to the event, participants collect donations via 网页s they set up through St. Baldrick的.
Then, they step up and have their heads shaved in front of a supportive crowd that cheers them on. Mario’s Barbershop of Rochester Hills donated its services for the event.
Bui said people want to get involved for various reasons.
“It’s just a great cause,” 她说. “It’s something that brings people together, either to participate or watch. And then other people joined in at the last minute…they see how exciting the event is and start to realize how the impact it can have and suddenly want to participate.”
M2 Joel Karsten, vice president, OncIG, was the first to have his head shaved.
“It’s a lot of fun and it’s for a good cause,他说. “I’m happy to be part of something that raises so much money for cancer research.”
Participants like Karsten were all smiling as they watched others, 比如Neelesh Peddireddy, M2, get their heads shaved and never seemed to forget the purpose of the event.
“I have a couple of people who I’ve lost to childhood cancer so it’s to honor them and do my part to give back,他说.
Peddireddy said it “was a bit weird” to have his head shaved in front of so many people but added that now his hair “is one less thing to worry about while studying for Step.”
M2 David Walker and his wife had their heads shaved together. |
M2 David Walker and his wife, Olivia Walker, teamed to raise more than $1,000 for the fundraiser. They had their heads shaved together.
“I always wanted to shave my head and thought this would be a great opportunity to do it and raise some money for a good cause,奥利维亚·沃克说. “这很有趣……是一次很棒的经历.”
Everett James Wasserman, 7, son of Jason Wasserman, Ph.D., 教授, Department of Foundational 医疗 Studies, 筹集了超过1美元,000 so he could get a mohawk-style haircut.
“我想帮助对抗癌症,他说, and added that it was “a little scary” to get a haircut in front of so many people.
Jason Wasserman, a longtime participant in the St. Baldrick在OUWB的活动, said he was supportive of his son because raising money for childhood cancer is “a kind of moral imperative in our society.”
“Cancer research is advancing at a rapid pace, but cancers are also really complex diseases to try to tackle and it’s going to take a lot of resources and social coordination to be able to really make progress on some of these issues,他说. “For as much progress that’s been made, we’ve got a long way to go.”
“The cliché that every little bit helps is true,” he added.
“这就是为什么我们想参与进来.”
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at (电子邮件保护).
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & 市场营销 网页.
