A buzz was in the air, and not just from the clippers at Silver Creek’s sixth annual Bald for Bucks event! This year’s fundraising efforts have allowed Silver Creek to surpass $20,000 in total donations since the first event in 2017.
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 School Psychologist Mr. Nick Gerard, who lost his father to cancer two years ago.
“But, I’m not here to talk about my dad,” he 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 Knights Against Cancer advisor and SCCS Bald for Bucks coordinator, Jessica Kardashian, 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,” she 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 Mrs. Amanda Austin, a former student of Bald for Bucks founder Tony George, who donated 8-inches of her hair, as well as guest clippers, Teacher Amy Heller who shaved Troy Cooper’s head and student Mira Wade, who raised $80 to cut Mrs. Kardashian’s hair.
Knights Against Cancer also held braiding and tinsel stations and 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 Mr. Brad Bish, Mrs. Lisa Buczkowski, Mrs. Rutkowski, Mrs. Amanda Austin and Mrs. Jessica Kardashian, and students in grades 8-12, Danny Ryan, Kaden Weeks, Henry Congdon, Danny Thies, Elliot Breton, Elizabeth Schneider, Mattison Larson, Alijah Williams, Troy Cooper and Jace Fox, who raised over $400. Other students who raised funds for the cause included Kristian Perez, Sara Beatman, Karissa Buchanan and Marissa Grisanti.
Special thanks go 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 Sierra Etkin from Bald for Bucks for assisting at the event.
