BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — The 12th annual Brave the Shave event took place on Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green State University in the Bowen Thompson Student Union.
The event is hosted in partnership with St. Baldricks, an organization that focuses on educating and raising funds for those affected by childhood cancers.
Anyone was invited to come and support, whether by shaving your head, making a donation or volunteering.
Alex Bakhaus, Coordinator for Leadership and Administration at BGSU says that when she was a student, she never realized the value that the Shave-a-Thon had.
Now, as an advisor to the students, she says she’s honored to be a part of the rich history.
“We’re trying to normalize being bald. Make it fun, make it cool, and we’re also fundraising for the organization,” said Bakhaus.
Over the last 12 years, BGSU has raised over $127,000 for the cause and shaved over 700 heads.
Logan Sanders is one of many cancer survivors who came to show their support.
“I shaved my head because this is a really personal thing for me. I had cancer twice when I was little,” said Sanders, “even though your hair is a part of you, it doesn’t make you who you are.”
Bakhaus and Sanders said that St. Baldrick’s acts as a way for family, friends and the community to come together and support kids, letting them know they aren’t alone through their struggle.
Bryna Walker, another cancer survivor shaving her head said that the reason she was shaving her head was not only due to her personal experience with cancer, but because when kids have cancer, they do not get the choice of whether they get to keep their hair.
“I hope that people take away an overarching sense of happiness today, and that the kids know people are still fighting for them, and there still is hope,” said Walker.
After all she said, “It’ll grow back!”
Click here for more information about St. Baldrick’s.
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