SAN FRANCISCO — For Allen Vu, participating in this head-shaving fundraiser for cancer patients is personal.
“Today is actually my mom’s death anniversary. She passed away 10 years ago from cancer. So this is pretty much not only for her, but other people.”
Held at the Trademark & Copyright Sports Bar and Eatery in San Francisco, “Buzzed for Cancer” was an event held by the Asian American Donor Program to help register potential donors for patients with leukemia.
For some people, the act of shaving one’s head is both a symbolic and physical way to show you are in solidarity with those affected.
“For patients with leukemia and lymphoma they lose their hair as a result of treatment and this is just one way to show support for these patients — because it’s hard enough battling cancer, and for some people losing their hair is just one more thing that they’re losing with their battle,” said Mylanah Yolangco.
For Fil-Am barber Bong of Heff’s Barbershop — he was happy to donate his time and skills to this event.
“I just wanted to give back to the community just because I haven’t been able to in a long time, and I felt it was about time to do so and especially everyone I know knows somebody who’s been impacted by cancer.”
AADP has and continues to help Fil-Ams in need of bone marrow donors — because according to their statistics, Filipinos make up less than one percent of the national registry, and recipients’ need donors of who are of the same ethnicity.
To register as a donor or for more information, visit AADP.org.
Leave a Reply