Stories

“I am not usually this outspoken, but I will attempt to explain what has motivated me to commit to a cause called Buzzing for Change. On April 15th 2007, I will visibly make a statement by giving up all of my hair in honor of those who are battling, or have lost their lives to cancer.

There are many ways one can give to charity. Time and money are admirable gifts to give to someone in need. However, to give away something viewed in our society as an assumed luxury, something that gives us our physical individuality is what I am choosing to give. Completely sacrificing my hair in order to make someone else feel more comfortable with themselves in a time where comfort is all you have to hold onto is, in my eyes, completely worthy. Hair will grow back. Life will not.

Is this an unnecessarily glorifying act of charity considering that in a few months my hair will grow back and I will be cancer free? Some might say, yes, "True charity is anonymous." But this is something that I strongly believe in. Giving money is just not enough for me. I would like to experience the whole act of charity. I want others to be inspired, especially those, who like myself before this date, have yet to find a way to give back to humanity in a manner that suits them best.

So, what I ask of you is your support. Come out to Washington, D.C. on April 15th. Donate what you feel is right for you: time, money, support, or your hair.

All monetary donations will go directly to Special Love, a camp for children living with cancer in Northern Virginia and all hair will be donated to Locks of Love. If you have any questions, want to donate money, or help out in any way feel free to contact me at jwins@temple.edu”



> > > This was my personal manifesto written last year in order to explain to my friends and family why I had chosen to participate in Buzzing for Change. Soon after I wrote this, my roommate Becky decided she too wanted to give up her hair. Together we asked for support by holding fund raising parties in order to eventually acquire what totaled to be somewhere near $2,000. The night before the event, a group of us drove down to Becky’s home in Baltimore. We spent our last hours with hair with our closest friends who had come to support us.

On April 15, 2007, I woke up with no idea how that Buzzing for Change would alter my life. After washing and blow drying my hair for the last time, my friends and I drove to George Washington University where the event was taking place. My friend Ellie even drove all the way from Georgia to show her support! The room was full of energy. Stories, support, or hair—everyone had something to offer. It was an amazing feeling.

I found myself admiring each of these people, and wishing my grandmother, who at the time was going through experimental treatments for breast cancer, was there with me. My dream soon became a reality when I looked up to see her, with my mother and sister on either side, walking towards me. My family had driven all the way from Traverse City, Michigan to surprise me! My only reaction was the burst into tears of joy. This moment cemented my decision. I knew exactly why I was there.

My grandmother, my roommate and I then sat down and gave our hair away.

Little did I know, a year later I would be shaving my head again.

This year, my sister and I decided to commemorate my grandmother, who passed away only one month after the initial Buzzing for Change event in Washington D.C., by shaving our heads in order to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Oncology Department. The event took place in our own city of Philadelphia at Drexel University.

It is completely unbelievable how Buzzing for Change has affected my life. To me, it has become a celebration of giving and an act of healing. The emotional ties that bind me to my grandmother, roommate, and sister can never be frayed, but what is more is the tie that continues to bind us to a larger community of people who have been impacted by our story.

Of all of the people I can thank, the countless supporters, friends, and family that have pulled through to me in a time of beauty and bereavement, I want to give my utmost appreciation to Judah Ferst, founder of Buzzing for Change for giving me strength, hope, and inspiration. We can all learn from the heartening spirit of great men like Judah.

For more on my story through the visual representation, please look at the photographs of Keith Morrison and Thomas Carroll seen here or see B4C at Drexel pictures here.

I had done Relay for Life (the 12-hour overnight walk to raise money for cancer research) the night before with Epsilon Sigma Alpha, GW's only community service sorority. Going on 4 hours sleep, I was scheduled to volunteer at Buzzing for Change. I was doing these back to back events because in the summer of 2005 I lost one of my best friends to cancer of the esophagus - Tim Roberts was only 22. Cancer of the esophagus is extremely rare in young people, especially those who don't smoke; the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston believes he was their youngest patient ever to have that particular form. While he was sick, and after he passed away, I had participated in various fundraising events, both for national cancer research, and to support the Tim Roberts Reeling in a Dream Fund at Dana Farber in Boston (basically make a wish for people over 18); but being at Buzzing for Change was a very new, and very powerful experience. While volunteering, I was so moved by all the people who were shaving their heads or donating their hair, especially other women, that I became inspired to donate as well. I had just enough hair to donate - as long as I buzzed it. I called my dad and asked him what he'd think of me having a shaved head in graduation pictures that May, and he told me just to go for it. I made the nervous decision to do it, and while I continued volunteering, waiting my turn, my roommate started calling everyone in her phonebook asking for donations. In less than an hour we raised over $300! I was so nervous, but also incredibly emboldened by the experience. While my head was being shaved I held my roommate's hand so tightly my knuckles turned white... Seeing myself with no hair was a huge shock - luckily I have an even shaped head so it worked out ok! Another girl from my sorority also chose to shave her head that day, against her family's wishes because of the upcoming Easter holiday. As soon as she finished, we ran to each other for a massive hug. It was an extremely emotional moment, as was the entire event for me. The first person I called after losing my hair was Tim's mom; she was shocked when I told her what I'd done, but so glad I was doing something in memory of him. Her biggest fear is that Timmy will be forgotten - which is completely impossible because of all the love, warmth, laughter and courage he inspired in all of us who knew and loved him. Being a woman, especially one who liked to play with her hair, having a shaved head was extremely weird at first, and I seriously wore skirts for a week just to feel feminine! But overall I think it gave me more self-confidence, helped me to look at myself in a new way...and I discovered that I actually don't look half bad with no hair. The first time I ventured off campus, I got strange stares and looks from everyone I passed by on the street. But it didn't matter - for months afterward, whenever someone commented on my hair I would tell them why I had done it, and they were always amazed and I hope a little bit inspired. It's been a year and my hair is still relatively short, and all the in-between stages in growing it out have driven me crazy, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm so glad to have participated in such an amazing event, and hope I can inspire others to do so as well, whether as volunteers or to shave/donate their hair.

Several of my friends had been involved in the organizing and promoting of Buzzing for Change at GW, and since their event was taking place on a very sunny Sunday in April I decided to stop by and see how they were doing. Little did I know that I would, about a half hour later, be agreeing to donate my hair to Locks of Love. I greeted my friends as I saw them, all sporting the trademark Buzzing for Change gear and happily informing participants where they can go or what forms they need. Then came Kevin… the future Dr. Waloff. He gave me a hug, as friends are want to do, and as we embraced in the middle of Kogan Plaza he felt my hair and noticed how long it was. Although my hair had been much longer my freshman year, in my junior year my hair was still pretty darn long and Kevin mentioned that it would be more than enough to donate if I so chose. I told him I would get back to him on that and went to grab some food and contemplate my options. I could keep my beloved flowing locks for my own selfish purpose, aka: I only know how to do long hair; I could cut off the bare minimum needed to sell my hair, aka: I can wimp out but at least the money will go to a good cause; or I could suck it up and take it like a woman, aka: go the whole nine yards (rather, ten inches) and give the hair away to kids who need it more than I do. I mean, I had an awful lot of hair and I did sometimes get frustrated in the morning when I was forced to conquer the nest atop my head. If I went through with it, I would be doing a good deed for needy children AND solving a major morning dilemma for myself. I was sold. When I went back over to Kogan Plaza I admitted to my friends that I would be going through with the little idea that Kevin planted in my head. They measured my hair and I had about eleven to donate, and off they went… or it… well, both really. The whole process didn’t take very long and I have to admit, my head did feel a bit lighter after everything was said and done. Unfortunately, as dramatic hair cuts go, my hair ended up a little lopsided and I retreated to my friend’s dorm where post-cut triage was done and my hair evened. Although I probably lost another inch in the process, at least I could face the world with some level of pride. That night, however, I cried myself to sleep. I missed my hair. But, I really missed my hair when I went to the hair salon to get a touch up and the stylist, if that really is his job, gave me a 70s style Brady-bob. I was furious and was considering going somewhere else to get some extensions put in… and no, I’m not joking. But the next day was easier, and I found that the “hair style” I was left with wasn’t so hard to de-bob. The next day was even easier, and the next day when I discovered a whole new way to wear my hair short, it became even easier. Now that I think about it, I think my crying over lost hair was a bit silly and selfish. But I know that I made a good decision, and I even got some compliments on the new cut (post-bob, of course). I can’t wait to chop my hair off again. This time I will be better prepared. It’s been two years since I donated my hair during Buzzing for Change, but my hair is not quite the length it needs to be for me to donate it and still have enough leftover for myself. I’m saving my hair for spring 2008—just after my sister’s wedding and just before my graduation from grad school.

When I came to GWU as a freshman, I was very interested in getting involved with a great public service organization. I heard of Buzzing for Change and decided that it was perfect for me. My mother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when she was 17. She had a very hard time as such a young person struggling with a terrible illness. Buzzing seemed to be an excellent opportunity to honor her and to serve those who are suffering pain and hardship so early in life. I did not help in the event planning my first year, and only planned to spend a couple of hours volunteering. However, while I was there, I was so impressed by the dedication of the people involved and the great work that was being done that I decided to buzz my head as well. Buzzing was very welcoming and fun, and the next year I was able to become a member of the board. I am extremely honored to have continued my membership on the board and to have helped Buzzing become a national non-profit.