Right now, more than two dozen people are raising money and awareness to help cancer patients. It’s part of the American Cancer Society’s Shave to Save annual fundraiser. The funds will help Hope Lodge Kansas City.
Every year, several employees at Black and Veatch participate in the Shave to Save Fundraiser. For Chris Miller, this year is very personal.
“I’m actually going through cancer treatments right now," said Miller. "My first chemo was actually one year ago today. Stomach and esophagus cancer is where it started. Since chemo hasn’t taken my hair yet, I might as well get it shaved off before that happens.”
Hope Lodge Kansas City is a home away from home for cancer patients who travel to Kansas City for treatment. Shave to Save is the organization's only distinguished fundraiser. Tim Bruggeman is one of the participants working to save money.
“Cancer affects everybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, religion, political leanings. It affects everybody," said Bruggeman.
Usually following a cancer diagnosis, the patient has a series of questions.
“Where am I going to live,” Miller recalls. “Where am I going to stay? Do I have to get an apartment wherever I’m going to get moved to? A lot of thought went into that so I know firsthand what the people at Hope Lodge are thinking.”
Miller, Bruggeman and others are now doing a bit of addition, by subtracting. They’re cutting off all their hair and going bald to raise money. They’re asking people in the Kansas City Metro to give either their time, money or hair as well.
Shave to Save has been going on for about 15 years now. To donate or learn more about the participants fundraising efforts, visit the Shave to Save website. The fundraising efforts go through April 1st.
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Kevin Holmes can be reached at Kevin.Holmes@KSHB.com
