By: Savannah Gaeckler
Julia “Jul” Voltis, a Liberal Studies and Elementary Education major at Rowan University, shaved her head the day before her 23rd birthday in the honor of six beautiful little girls.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation raises money to support childhood cancer research. By joining the cause, Jul not only helped raise money for the organization, but also showed her support to patients by being bald. Jul was inspired to participate by her baby cousin, Anastasia, who was only 2 years old at the time she was diagnosed with Leukemia. For Christmas that year, Jul gave her a bald Bratz doll. When Jul’s Aunt told her how perfect the doll was because Anastasia began asking why her hair was falling out, she instantly decided to become involved with the organization and wanted to shave her head for her.
To Jul, the motto “bald is beautiful” has a significant meaning: “‘Bald is beautiful’ is a statement I always believed, but never fully understood until now. My boyfriend tells me all the time I’m beautifully bald. When he says this it just, I don’t know, it makes me happy…‘Bald is beautiful’ is being proud of who you are and saying ‘hey look at me, yes I may be bald, but I am just as beautiful as another other woman out there.’”
Jul feels that it is important for others to contribute to organizations such as St. Baldrick’s Foundation because her family has been severely affected by cancer and she thinks that “it is extremely important that everyone becomes involved in events like this because these families and children need all the help and support they can get.” Jul has stood by as several members of her family have gone through Chemotherapy and various surgeries. Having witnessed the extreme battle her family members have been faced with, she cannot even imagine a child having to go through it.
Jul describes how it feels to have gone bald and to have donated her brunette locks, “Normally I describe myself as a shy, quiet girl. Since I have shaved my head, I no longer walk with my head down. I am proud of what I did and although I do get a lot of people starring, I do not regret shaving my head. Its just hair and it will grow back. Some people, especially children, who go through chemo treatments never have their hair grow back. So why not donate mine to someone who needs it more?”
Jul’s original goal was to raise $2,000 for the organization. When she met her goal before the shave date, she decided to push herself and increase her goal to a new total of $3,000. With great dedication, Jul surpassed her goal with an ending total of $3,188!
In the future, Jul hopes to further her dedication to helping children by becoming a Kindergarten teacher. Jul considers participating in the event again: “I would absolutely do it over again. The only thing I regret is that I did not raise more. I feel I could have done more [by going to other events and seeking out more sponsors] It was a great experience and I may even do it again!”
“I have received so much support it is mind blowing. Everywhere I go people are telling me how great I look or how awesome it is that I raised so much for this cause.”
If Jul’s incredible story has encouraged you to help support childhood cancer research, please visit the Facebook pages of the young girls who inspired her:
1. Anastasia, Jul’s baby cousin who has ALL Leukemia
2. Ella Wilson, who has NF1 (Neurofibromas): https://www.facebook.com/HopeForElla
3. Lilly Bumpous, who has Ewings Scarcoma: https://www.facebook.com/lilly.bumpus.9
4. Hazel Hammersley, who has Neuroblastoma: https://www.facebook.com/ourlittlehazelnut
5. Taylor Buonadonna, who had bone cancer: https://www.facebook.com/taylor.buonadonna?fref=ts
6. Luna Hartman, who had Wilms’ Tumor: https://www.facebook.com/HelpSupportLunasFightAgainstCancer/info