Eighteen students and staff members shed their hair to raise funds for patient care and cancer research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. This year students and staff raised over $3,800, bringing the district’s six-year total near $22,000.

The celebration was a dedication to many loved ones who have battled cancer and also served as a beacon of hope. This year’s speaker was Nick Gerard, Silver Creek School Psychologist, who lost his father to cancer two years ago.

“I’m not here to talk about my dad,” Gerard said. “I’m not here to talk about cancer. I’m here to talk about hope. … Coming in and seeing each of you smile got me through the day, it got me through the week, it got me through the minute. That’s what’s important. The hope that we have for each other. That’s what these events are for – the hope.”

For Jessica Kardashian, Knights Against Cancer advisor and Silver Creek Bald for Bucks coordinator, surpassing the $20,000 fundraising benchmark is an exciting accomplishment.

“Everyone has their own stories. Every donation is a story. We raise funds today for a better tomorrow,” Kardashian said. “… Each of those dollars donated is matched up to an additional $23 in grants, meaning we have helped support more than $400,000 towards cancer research right here in Buffalo. I couldn’t be more grateful for the impact of our community in this moment.”

Students Karissa Buchanan and Bella Daniels emceed the event. Some highlights included Amanda Austin, a former student of Bald for Bucks founder Tony George, who donated 8-inches of her hair. Teacher Amy Heller shaved Troy Cooper’s head, and student Mira Wade raised $80 to cut Mrs. Kardashian’s hair. Knights Against Cancer held braiding and tinsel stations, and also sold bracelets for additional donations.

Throughout the year, Knights Against Cancer focuses on relationship building. The Bald for Bucks event allows students to see different sides of their peers and teachers, and ultimately to see they aren’t alone.

“I am participating for two reasons. The first is for my grandfather, who battled two kinds of cancer; and the second is to show everyone that you should never let insecurity stop your internal beacon from shining,” Danny Ryan said to applause as his curls were shorn.

This year’s participants included staff members Brad Bish, Lisa Buczkowski, Alicia Rutkowski, Amanda Austin and Jessica Kardashian, as well as students in grades 8-12, including Danny Ryan, Kaden Weeks, Danny Thies, Elliot Breton, Elizabeth Schneider, Mattison Larson, Alijah Williams, Troy Cooper, Henry Congdon and Jace Fox. Congdon and Fox each raised nearly $500. Other students who raised funds for the cause included Kristian Perez, Sara Beatman, Karissa Buchanan and Marissa Grisanti.

Student Mira Wade raised $80 to be able to cut Teacher Jessica Kardashian’s hair for donation.

Special thanks went out to volunteer Debbie Michalak from the Cutting Crew, cosmetology students Ariah Miller, Zuly Cruz, Ryleigh Hanner and Emily Yerke for assisting with the participants part with their locks, and to Sierra Etkin from Bald for Bucks for assisting at the event.