Holly Coyle ’14: Bald is Beautiful!

Holly Coyle is a second year nursing major here at UT Austin. She’s always had a passion for helping people in need, and this March she’s expressing that love in a drastic way--by shaving her head! Read below to find out a little more about what inspired Holly to go bald.
 
HCTX: Tell us about TexasTHON, and how you became involved in it.
Holly: TexasTHON is UT's Dance Marathon and fundraiser for Dell Children’s Medical Center, a member of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I became involved through my membership of the organization S.M.I.L.E. Since S.M.I.L.E regularly volunteers at Dell's, we love to help the hospital in any way.
 
HCTX: How did you find out about St. Baldrick's?
Holly: I found out about St. Baldrick's also because of S.M.I.L.E. Every year, Dell Children's hosts a St. Baldrick's (a fund raiser in which volunteers shave their heads to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research). S.M.I.L.E. volunteers at this event every year; last year, I watched our president shave her head there. This year we are going to host our own St. Baldrick's, and I am proud to say that I will be going bald to raise money for pediatric cancer research!
 
HCTX: What are you most looking forward to about shaving your head, besides raising money for cancer treatment?
Holly: I am looking forward to being able to help make kids with cancer know that bald is beautiful! They are so strong and they inspire people like me every day! I also think it will be a great test of character for me.
 
HCTX: You're a nursing major. What inspired you to pursue a degree in nursing?
Holly: I like to say I chose nursing because I love biology and I love people. Nursing students are really drawn to the idea of personal contact with patients and to taking care of people everyday. I am a happy, loving, energetic, and compassionate person. Once I picked nursing, I knew this is who I was always meant to be
 
HCTX: What are your plans after college?
Holly: After college I am hoping to get a job either working in pediatrics or in public health nursing. I love working with kids, and my friends say my energy would be perfect for it. I also want to be a family nurse practitioner and work to get disadvantaged communities the health services and care they deserve.
 
HCTX: Can you give us your favorite anti-cancer slogan or cheer?
Holly: I’d have to say last year's UT Relay for Life had it right: "Cancer Sucks!"