Hair-Raising Challenge Leads to Breast Cancer Research
Lyn Dunagan, CBCRP Communication Projects Coordinator
We never cease to be amazed and gratified by the help we receive from our Community Partners. Their stories are unique, and their support is creative, inspirational—and even funny.
It started with an off-hand remark. Kirk Buckman, code enforcement officer for the City of Belmont, had been teasing two co-workers, Rob Gill and Jason Eggers, about their shaved heads. They suggested he give it a try.
“ You guys couldn’t pay me enough,” said Kirk.
Never a pair to back down from a challenge, Rob and Jason pushed back. How much would it take? It took a bit of back-and-forth, but Kirk eventually named his price.
“ You guys show me $500, and I’ll shave my head,” Kirk later described the event. “That was Friday at 4:30. By noon on Monday, they’d raised over $400.”
“ As soon as we mentioned it,” said Rob, “everyone leaped on board.”
Kirk decided to donate the money to breast cancer research. “When we started this ‘challenge’, I’d just learned that a good friend of mine, whose husband recently passed away, is a breast cancer survivor. We made the donation in honor of them. Their names are Dennis and Judy Sheldon.”
Rob and Jason exceeded their goal and raised $621. A few weeks later, Kirk left his office at 5:00 and found everyone in the lobby of city hall, waiting to witness the event. Kirk’s 16-year-old son was there with the clippers.
“ They had the chair all set up,” said Kirk. His son performed the honors.“ Yeah, I think he enjoyed that.”
Everyone here at the California Breast Cancer Research Program thanks Kirk, Rob, Jason, and the rest of the group at the City of Belmont for their generous donation. The money they raised will fund research aimed towards eliminating breast cancer and the havoc it brings to people’s lives.
