Some students, staff, and visitors are going bald for a good cause.
So far, five men and three women have shaved their heads as part of the Battle of the Bald—a national college fundraising tournament benefiting St. Baldrick’s Foundation for childhood cancer research.
Some of the haircuts took place this week in Circle Park.
Darren Gilbert, an IT specialist, organized the event at UT. After losing two friends to cancer and supporting another who is currently battling the disease, Gilbert decided to take action.
“I had been involved last year, but simply as a sponsor of a friend of mine who was raising money as a St. Baldrick’s shavee. Then I got an e-mail during the summer from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation asking if I would be willing to organize an event here at UT,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert had his head shaved in Circle Park. Alma Francis from Broadway Barber Shop in Fountain City served as the campus barber.
Thirty-nine colleges and universities are participating in the Battle of the Bald. UT volunteers have already surpassed Gilbert’s initial fundraising goal of $5,000, raising a current total of $5,444.
Nationally, UT is in 14th place for the amount of money raised.
But Gilbert said additional donations are still being accepted.
The competition runs through November 30.
For more information on the competition and ways to get involved, visit http://www.stbaldricks.org/college-battle.
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C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@utk.edu)