Some members of the Catawba College community may soon "go bald" for a very good cause - to raise funds for the Cure Starts Now, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for cancers, especially "big bullies" like childhood brain cancer. A "Shave It or Save It" fundraiser is now underway on campus and so far, eight individuals have put their locks on the block, literally, for this good cause.
The eight individuals, including President Brien Lewis, Theatre Arts Professor Erin Dougherty, Student Israel Suarez, Admissions Counselor Gregory Alexander, Professor of Sports and Health Sciences Victor Romano, Associate Director of Admissions Operations Steffanie West, Director of SEGS Jeff Bowe, and Associate Director of Admissions Laura Gilland, are now soliciting funds from those who either want to see them shaved or their locks saved.
Then on Friday, April 7, between 3 and 6 p.m., the Catawba community will gather at a finale event and learn who among the eight aforementioned individuals will have their locks saved or shaved. With licensed barbers standing by and many on the campus watching, the eight will learn their fates.
Up until April 7, these individuals have two funds they will be seeking monetary contributions for – a save it fund and a shave it fund, with one fund capable of counteracting the other. To make a contribution or to check out the eight volunteers, visit www.catawba.edu/CureStartsNow. And, stay tuned to this page on the Catawba website as more participants are expected to step up to the block, willing to put their locks on the line for this good cause.
The local chapter of Cure Starts Now, set up in memory of Odin Dougherty, the son of Catawba Theatre Arts Professor Erin Dougherty, will receive the proceeds from the fundraiser and pass along to the national Cure Starts Now organization. Following are some fact about the Cure Starts Now organization that contributors should know:
Last year's overhead operating costs made up 2% of the money raised by Cure Starts Now;The organization strives for a cure for all cancers but focus on the "big bullies" like childhood brain cancer;The organization funds 59 research grants in 6 countries and holds the researchers accountable for results and innovations;Learn more by visiting the Cure Starts Now website (www.thecurestartsnow.org) or the local chapter's site (https://thecurestartsnow.org/get-involved/chapters/central-north-carolina).
