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Buzzing for Change, an event to raise money and awareness for children living with cancer, will be held in the Korman Quad April 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Shaving heads, cutting hair for cancer patients

By: Josh Kurtz

Posted: 4/11/08

On April 16, students will have the opportunity to help someone with cancer just a haircut.

Buzzing for Change, an event to raise money and awareness for children living with cancer, will be held in the Korman Quad April 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. People can contribute to Buzzing for Change by having their head shaved or having their hair cut, or by donating money or volunteering with the organization.

"The purpose of this is to enrich the lives of kids with cancer now," Kelsey Gold, a pre-junior majoring in chemical engineering and the president of Buzzing for Change at Drexel, said.

Money raised at the event would help supply entertainment, field trips, laptops, or other services to children with cancer, according to Jessica Isaacs, a Drexel graduate student in mechanical engineering and the Buzzing for Change event coordinator for Buzzing for Change at Drexel.

Isaacs said she hopes the proceeds from the event will help the children "feel they're not missing out on a childhood."

Buzzing for Change was started at George Washington University in 2003. Judah Ferst, a student at George Washington at the time, organized the event.

Last year, Buzzing for Change was made into a non-profit organization, leading its expansion to other schools. This year, the event will be hosted at Virginia Tech, Rutgers and George Washington in addition to Drexel.

"We're hoping to make it an annual event at Drexel," Isaacs said.

The University is hoping to work with Penn and Temple to expand the event at Drexel, she added.

In addition, Isaacs said she expects other non-Drexel students to attend the event, including children, families and Drexel professors.

"Kelsey [Gold] and I had helped out last year at George Washington," Isaacs said.

According to Gold and Isaacs, there was some difficulty in getting the event organized because of administrative issues with Drexel, such as getting a new student organization account for Buzzing for Change.

Despite any planning problems, the event will be worth it, Gold said.

Isaacs said there were about 25 people from the Philadelphia area who went to the George Washington Buzzing for Change the previous year, and that these people plan to attend the on-campus event next week.

The goals for Buzzing for Change at Drexel are to have 50 heads shaved and 25 haircuts. The event hopes to raise $15,000, according to Isaacs.

The hair will be donated to Locks of Love if it is between six and 10 inches, according to Gold. People will be able to donate money at Buzzing for Change through cash or check. In addition, computers with PayPal will be available for online donations.

All of the money raised at the event will will be donated to the pediatric oncology center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, in efforts to help children with cancer. The costs of the event are being covered through grants and other ways, Isaacs said.

Buzzing for Change has donated $74,900 during its four events at George Washington so far. In addition, 662 heads have been shaved and 214 have been cut.

Buzzing for Change at Drexel will also feature refreshments, raffles and giveaways from local businesses. There will be music at the event, including the band "Nobody Yet." The rain location for the event is the North Gym at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.