Stories

In 1981, my mother lost her fight with cancer. Diagnosed one year earlier, I witnessed first hand how cancer devastates the body, the spirit and the hope of those that provide the care and support. I experienced the death of my mother at an age when my siblings and I needed her the most, particularly as we began to transcend into the world of independence, a time when a mother's guidance was more important. My mother lost her hair and was embarrassed to be seen. In 1981, wigs were not as fashionable but she was embarrassed to be without it. Chemotherapy ravaged her body physically, and challenged her spirit mentally. She also lost her ability to really be part of life in the way that she wanted to. My twin sister is a survivor of cancer, a woman of strength, spirit and the understanding of what it is like to go through treatments, and to always live in fear of wondering if it will return. She remembers what my mother went through so as she continued to embrace that experience she challenged the fears that my mother was unable to do. For me this event and my participation in it are to remember the strength that my mother had years ago when treatments were just beginning to evolve, to honor the spirit that my sister continues to have, and to honor the courage amd hope of children facing this disease today. Emily Dickinson said - "Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all." Children sing the tune every day with their smile, the glow in their eyes, and the love in their hearts. Despite their innocence and vulnerability, they teach the world many lessons about courage, hope and believing in the strength of the spirit.

Hey, I'm Jessica. Originally, I did not plan on cutting my hair or actively fund raising. However, when I spoke with my friends about our interest in volunteering for the event on our campus, they persuaded me into cutting my hair. I didn't want to at first, but now I am whole-heartedly participating in this event and cutting my hair, not only to show my support for the cause, but also because I know someone else needs it more than I do. I am going to cut a lot of my hair off for Buzzing 4 Change! Support me and cancer research!

At the start of 10th grade, I got the crazy idea to shave my head but almost everyone I knew at the time gave me reasons why I should keep my flowing brown strands. So I cut it short to give to Locks of Love and then let it grow out and cut it short again to donate and let it grow out.... After donating my hair three times, I decided that the time had come. I helped with publicity for the event last year and finally buzzed! I got a lot of sponsors to donate and had an amazing experience. So I decided to do it again! This year, it's gonna be bigger and better. I'm helping with the organizing and am going to buzz again. I love donating my hair because growing it is something that I don't have to try to do and I know that in some small way I am helping out someone in need. I feel very personally connected to the mission of B4C because I have lost several wonderful people in my life to cancer. So come out and help us at the event or donate a bit to sponsor me while I join the ranks of my peers to show solidarity for those suffering from the effects of cancer treatments and help the Oncology Unit at the Children's Hospital of Philadalphia!

Bald is beautiful.

I am one of the Event Coordinators for Bryn Mawr and I was so excited to be involved. My closest friends have had cancer drastically change their homes and my grandfather died from cancer. Please donate! All funds go to the Philadelphia Children's hospital!

Hi! After fund-raising and buzzing at the event in 2008, Kelsey recruited me to help out with planning - I'm currently publishing the minutes after every meeting as Secretary.

My life has been affected in countless ways by cancer. I have lost friends and family members who are gone now, forever. Although it's been years since some of them have passed, it's still extremely hard for me to digest. At the same time, their legacy and memory will be with me forever. The mental anguish that comes with losing a loved one should not be felt ever again. If buzzing my hair is the least I can do to help reverse this epidemic, then I'm all in. There is no room for losing loved ones anymore.

I'll be buzzing my head for the 6th straight year!!! Please sponsor me!!!

I don't have a real "story" and have only decided to do this somewhat recently, but I think that it's an important thing for me to do. Cancer has been fairly prevalent in my family and just being there and watching the people I love go through it and not being able to do anything is one of the most frustrating experiences. I'm doing this because I'd like to try, in some small way, to contribute. I've always wanted to cut my hair for Locks of Love, and as I'm cutting so much of it this time, why not go all the way?

I don't really have a story. Would just really like to be involved with something like this.