Shave to Save

Location: Van Andel Institute - 333 Bostwick, Grand Rapids
Date: March 23, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

shave 2 save

pediatric cancer

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News Coverage:

Cancer survivor, 12, to shave head to show kids battling cancer that he cares

WLAV's Rob Brandt to shave head to raise awareness and money for Van Andel Institute

Clearly Community Interview

Students from the Van Andel Institute (VAI) Graduate School are hosting Shave to Save to raise money for pediatric cancer research at VAI as part of the Institute's Purple Community program. These students know first-hand the importance of research to find ways to diagnose and treat cancer, and the hope that it holds for patients and families.

Fundraising Goal: $10,000-20,000
Funds to benefit the laboratories of Neuroblastoma Translational Research, Translational Medicine, and Musculoskeletal Oncology

How It Works

VAI staff and community members will collect pledges between now and March 23, when they will shave their heads at VAI to show their support for cancer research and the patients who don't get to choose to lose their hair.

How to Participate

Get Shaved

Know anyone that would pay to see you shave your head? Perfect! It doesn't matter how old you are, how much hair you have, or whether you're a man or a woman - if you want to join our team of shavees, contact Ken Valkenburg at 616-234-5568 or via email. Then all you need to do is collect pledges and show up to be shaved on March 23! You can either be shaved by one of our volunteer hairdressers or by your top donor. You can also donate your hair to Children with Hair Loss if it meets their guidelines.

The top fundraiser will receive a $50 restaurant gift card, and all shavees who raise at least $100 will receive a free T-shirt.

Thank you to our current shavees! Meet the Shavees

Donate Online

Support the event online by clicking the donate button below. If you want to support a specific shavee, be sure to enter his or her name in the Comments box on the form. 100% of your donation will go directly to pediatric cancer research at VAI.

Come to the Event

Did you pay to see someone get shaved? Or do you just want to join in the fun and learn more about what VAI is doing to fight pediatric cancer? Then join us on March 23!

Thank You to our Sponsors!



Thank You to our Volunteer Hairdressers! Classic Hair Design Hair Xtraordinaire	Thank You to our Shavees! Meet the Shavees Donate to a Shavee

Caps for Clayton

VAI's Knitting Club will present hats to Caps for Clayton at the event! Caps for Clayton is an organization inspired by a four-year-old boy who is a two-time cancer survivor. Clayton wore a cap every day, which gave him a sense of confidence and allowed him to hide the most obvious effect of his cancer treatment, the loss of his hair. Caps for Clayton now collects new hats to donate to the hospital where Clayton received all his care while battling cancer. Caps for Clayton is touching lives and spreading awareness one cap at a time.