By Liz Frontino
Cries of excitement and even a few sobs could be heard from Merion Green on Thursday afternoon, April 23, as students lined up to shave their heads for a good cause.
Buzzing for Change is an event that raises money and awareness for cancer support. Participants are asked to raise money to shave their heads, with the proceeds from the event going to the oncology department at CHOP, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In addition, the hair that participants shaved was donated to Locks of Love to make wigs for children who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy treatment.
Participants looking for a less drastic hair change could also cut six to ten inches of their hair to be donated to Locks of Love.
According to Judah Ferst, the President of Buzzing for Change, the event began as a student-run organization in Fall 2002 at George Washington University. The event then expanded to Drexel University, and came to Bryn Mawr this year with the help of Anne Bugnaski ’10.
Ferst was very excited to see the event come to the Bryn Mawr campus, saying, “girls shaving their heads makes a statement that [one doesn’t get when guys do it]. It shows a real commitment to the cause.”
According to Bugnaski, who shaved her head on Thursday, the event not only raises money for children with cancer, it also shows solidarity and support for those undergoing chemotherapy.
“We’re showing empathy for people who can’t choose their hairstyles,” Bugnaski said.
Celia Turner ’10 served as the treasurer for the event, and described a shaved head as a true advertisement for the cause.
“If you shave your head, people are going to notice,” Turner said.
The wind and cold didn’t turn girls away from the event; a large number could be seen on Merion Green waiting to get their hair cut. Jennifer Wright ’12 cut nearly a foot off of her hair.
Although Wright described her new hairdo as “a huge change,” and felt “freaked out about it,” she cited the experience as being for a good cause and Bryn Mawr as being a “good atmosphere” to make such a decision.
Some girls, like Kady Ashcraft ’12, got so caught up in the excitement and atmosphere of the day that they decided to donate their hair right there on the spot. Ashcraft said that she saw all of her friends cutting their hair and ended up donating six inches on a whim. Afterwards, she said she was “still in shock,” but happy to do it for the cause, and not too upset about the loss of her locks.
“Hair grows back!” Ashcraft said.
Ashley Mallon ’10 was the publicist for the event. She also took part in the event itself and shaved her head. She chose to get involved with Buzzing for Change because of past experiences with cancer and because of the “amazing cause.”
Blair Smith ’12 donated about 22 inches of her hair.
“I wanted to make a sacrifice as well as garner support for the cause. I also did it to show that beauty is not defined by hair,” said Smith. “So, as a sign of solidarity I made the executive decision to change my perceptions of self worth by releasing what had for so long been a crucial part of my identity: my hair.”
Smith described the experience as empowering.
This article is © 2008 The Bi-College News. The material on this page is free for personal or educational use, but may not be reproduced, reprinted, republished, redistributed, or otherwise transmitted to a third party without the express written permission of The Bi-College News, 370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041.
Editor's note: Articles that appear in the Last Word section are works of satire.
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