This Friday on Sturges Quad at 1:30 p.m., five Geneseo students will be buzz cutting the hair off their heads in an effort to fundraise for Relay for Life.
Last year, Geneseo's Relay for Life raised $73,000. By Wednesday, this year's Relay has raised $42,311. Junior Lwam Tecleab, sophomore Daniel Hart, freshman Vinny Nicolosi, freshman Adam Brunelle and senior Jordan Gross aim to raise $1,000 each by collecting money on the College Green Thursday and then cutting their hair the next day.
"Originally, I was supposed to be doing this alone," said Tecleab. "I was so excited to see friends support me by joining me. A lot of people are still confused about why I'm doing this, and all I can say is, 'Why not?' To get rid of something that will grow back in order to raise $1,000 which could potentially change a life is worth it!"
"I'm friends with Lwam and when she told me she was going to shave her head I was shocked, but it didn't seem that out of the ordinary for her," said Hart. "I guess I'm kind of afraid to see what my head will look like when I'm totally bald, but … it will be fun."
The head-shaving tactic has its advantages. "When you tell people that you're shaving your head for Relay, when you get to $1000, they practically throw money at you," said Hart. "Anything for a good cause, right?"
"The idea of losing all my hair makes me a little nervous, but the feeling that I might be able to make a difference, to potentially save a life, is absolutely unbelievable," said Brunelle. "It's worth every bit of hair I have."
Nicolosi and Gross said they have been looking forward to shaving their heads. "I've always wanted to shave my head and I always want to raise money to fight against cancer," said Nicolosi. "So the two together seemed like a no brainer to me."
"I have been growing my hair out for over a year to donate to Locks for Love, but I am so excited to be buzzing my hair for an equally good cause," said Gross.
Relay for Life begins Saturday at 7 p.m. in Kuhl gym. Anyone interested in participating can still sign up and fundraising is encouraged up until the event.