By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Algonquin Regional High School junior Emily Chione marked World Cancer Day on Feb. 4 by having her hair buzzed as a fundraiser for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s The Jimmy Fund. To date, she has raised $1,500 but hopes to see that number grow.
Chione, 17, said she started thinking about buzzing her hair in the fall. She chose World Cancer Day as a means to show her support and bring awareness to every single cancer patient.
“I dedicated shaving my head to my second cousin, Kyle Collins, who passed away from leukemia,” she said. “It shocked me what he had to go through. He was around my age when he was diagnosed. People know about cancer, but don’t understand it unless they are affected by it,” she said.
Chione wanted her fundraising to benefit The Jimmy Fund because they are local and are not focused on one type of cancer research.
She has had her long hair cut to donate to Wigs for Kids in the past, but this is the first time she has shaved her head for a cause. Shaving her head was a way for her to show support to cancer patients who have lost their hair due to treatment.
She knows that losing hair can be difficult for patients and wants them to know confidence comes from within.
“You absolutely do not need hair to define your looks,” she said. “You are handsome or beautiful with or without hair.”
Christian Dumais of DruMais Hair Salon in Marlborough helped her with the buzz cut.
She is very appreciative of all who have donated. Her fundraising page is still open and can be found at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/EmilyC.
Photos/submitted
Emily Chione shows off her new buzz cut.
