With mermaid-length hair, Erin Friedlander has long and luscious locks that would make even Rapunzel have hair envy. But in 2 short days Erin’s hair will go from “down to there” to “barely there.” As a participant in St. Baldrick’s philanthropy, Erin will be shaving her head this Thursday to help raise money for cancer research.
What is St. Baldrick’s?
It’s an annual event in which participants shave their heads and raise money prior to the event to help fund childhood cancer research.
How did you raise money for the event and how much have you raised so far?
I created a Facebook event and also emailed a couple of coaches and teachers, but my primary way of raising money has definitely been sending out letters to family and friends who have really been supportive and donated quite generously. So far I have raised $3,500 (now it’s $3,771!) but my goal is to raise $4,000. Currently I’m neck-and- neck for most funds raised this year at UVa.
If you are already raising money for the philanthropy, why cut your hair?
It’s to show solidarity for people who have lost their hair due to cancer.
How did you hear about St. Baldrick’s?
I was on the rowing team last year and two of my friends, Marti Kuzzy and Jenny Schultis, were cutting their hair for the event. I really wanted to do it, but I found out about it too late and so I didn’t have enough time to fundraise. This summer I worked with Meghan Butt who had also shaved her head; she really encouraged me to go through with it.
What motivated you to cut your hair for cancer? Do you have any personal connections to the philanthropy?
I always feel funny when people ask me this because you would assume that those who do something as drastic as shaving their head would have some kind of personal connection to the philanthropy. Cancer has never affected me or anyone I know personally. I think that’s something to be grateful for. As for the buzz cut, to be honest, I’ve always wanted to cut my hair short. I donated a foot of my hair for “Locks of Love” in high school, but always wanted a more drastic cut. Now that I’m in college, I feel confident and motivated enough to go through with it!
What’s the scariest part about shaving your head?
I get the most scared about shaving my head when I’m talking about it with friends. My guy friends will jokingly say “You’ll look so weird!” and I can’t help but think about how different I’ll look. But more than that, my hair is a part of my femininity. I’m not going to lie I have great hair (she says this jokingly, but really, she has great hair). All I do is wash it, blow it dry and I’m done. No styling, no straightening. I’ll miss being that girl who can say, “I have great hair and I don’t do anything.”
Are you planning to cover up or walk around?
Oh, I’m planning to rock it. That’s the whole idea of the event. People who don’t have hair have to live with it. What’s the point of going bald if I’m going to pretend not to be? My grandmother did buy me a couple hats to keep my head warm in the cold weather, but any sight of sun and the cap comes off.
Does your family know you’re cutting your hair? Do you have a boyfriend? How does he feel about it?
Well, my dad was not too happy about it in the beginning. He wanted me to have two fundraisers; one to go bald, and one to keep the hair and whichever one raised the most I would go with. I was way too motivated to cut my hair, though, so this idea didn’t have much staying power. My mom was slightly more comfortable with the idea, knowing my hair would grow back. My boyfriend knew before we started dating that I wanted to shave my head for St. Baldrick’s. Even so, he’s still a little hesitant, but I’ve made him get used to the idea. It’s happening.
Any plans for the big day?
My parents are coming down that day for support, but I think I’m even more nervous about them meeting my boyfriend for the first time.
Want to help Erin reach her goal of $4000? Visit:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/eringobahld to donate. Come see Erin shave her head on Thursday (3/24) at 6:30pm at Boylan Heights.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.