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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Clippers in her hand, 14-year-old Ana Victoria Segoviano nervously asked her fellow barbers what technique to use as she joined them in shaving the heads of volunteers during the annual St. Baldrick’s Day at Rush on Feb. 24.
A pediatric cancer patient whose disease currently is in remission, Segoviano was one of the Rush Children’s Hospital patients were matched with 30 Rush University students. The patients shaved their counterparts’ heads as part of the annual fundraiser for pediatric cancer research.
Nearly 70 Rush University students and physicians, nurses and staff members at Rush shed their locks in solidarity with these and other kids made bald by their cancer treatments. They also sought donations for this year’s campaign, which raised more than $60,000 for pediatric cancer research.
“We raised twice the amount our team at Rush Children’s Hospital set out to raise and are very pleased,” says Jessica Reuteler, a committee chair member of the St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser at Rush Children’s Hospital. “This has been a landmark year where we raised our highest amount ever.”
The funds will go to members of the Children’s Oncology Group, a cooperative research group that includes Rush. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization, coordinates head-shaving fundraising events nationwide in support of pediatric cancer research, which receives only 4 percent of overall federal funding for cancer research, according to the foundation.
You can see the fur flying (so to speak) in this post on Rush’s Facebook page.
‘That they let us do it really shows their commitment’
The results of the event were reason to cheer for patients like Segoviano, who was diagnosed with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2015 and whose hair only now is starting grow back.
“I was so excited when I was asked to shave the heads of the doctors, nurses, residents, students and staff who take care of me,” she says. “That they’d let us do it really shows their commitment and that they really care about me and the other kids who are in the hospital.”
Jeremy Chapman, a fourth-year student at Rush Medical College, was at the receiving end of Segoviano’s clippers and grew out his full, wavy black hair in advance. “I am honored to get my head shaved by Ana Victoria,” he said beforehand.
“Because this year we were partnered with individual patients, we got to know them,” Chapman said. “These are kids who have dreams, goals, families, moms, dads, siblings and grandparents. They are not just cancer patients. They are not defined by this disease.”
Reuteler, a second-year graduate student in the Rush University College of Nursing Generalist Entry Master’s Degree Program sat in a barber’s chair holding a sign reading “Before” as her barber prepared to cut off her lustrous auburn hair. Although she was visibly anxious, there was no question as to why Reuteler wanted to participate and to help lead this year’s campaign.
“As a woman, hair is something that defines our femininity and who we are. It is so tough for women and young girls who lose their hair due to cancer,” she explained. “Shaving my head helps create conversations and motivates others to action to help the cause, so I am more than willing to do it for our patients.”
‘Here’s your chance to make me bald’
In the United States, one out of 285 U.S. children are diagnosed with cancer before they turn 20 years old. In 2015, about 10,380 children under the age of 15 in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer.
“I don’t know about you, but for me these are heartbreaking statistics,” said Paul Kent, MD, a pediatric oncologist and hematologist at Rush Children’s Hospital. “It’s hard to think that so many families will be faced with the possibility of losing their child before they have a chance to graduate high school, get married or have children of their own.”
Kent notes that the funds Rush raised with St. Baldrick’s will go directly to researchers in programs that run clinical trials dedicated to finding cures for pediatric cancer. They also go toward training the next generation of researchers and funding supportive care research to improve the quality of life of patients and survivors.
Before heading to the barber’s chair to get his head shaved, Kent picked up a microphone and made an announcement: “For those of you whom I have had the honor of treating, but had to make bald, here’s your chance to make me bald! I’m inviting every one of you to come up here and shave my head.”
A group of enthusiastic patients, including parents carrying their infants, children and teens jumped on stage ready to take their turn with the clippers as their families stood by clapping and smiling.
‘Everyone needs to know how they can help’
In addition to raising funds, the event filled hearts.
“I am completely overwhelmed and trying not to get emotional,” said Elizabeth Segoviano, Ana Victoria’s mother. “This is our first time at this event and the level of support is amazing.”
“As a parent, you never think this could happen to your child until it does,” she continues. “We’ve been though a lot and every day is a blessing.”
Ana Victoria’s mom also participated in the fundraiser and had her head shaved.
“Everyone needs to know how they can help. When we were going through the diagnosis, treatments and hospital visits, our family members, friends and neighbors all asked how they could help and they formed an amazing support system. If you want to help, donating funds for cancer research is one way you can.”
People still can donate to Rush University’s St. Baldrick’s team by visiting the team’s page on the St. Baldrick’s Foundation website. The team name is Rush Children’s Hospital #RUBald
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