UCS Students Shave Their Head to Support Those with Cancer

Two Utica Community Schools students lost their top recently to help support children with cancer.

Stephanie Humphries, of Malow Junior High School, and Ayrton Hamrick, of Crissman Elementary, participated in the St. Baldrick's Foundation's annual fundaiser.

The students raised money to participate in a March 10 event where they had their hair shaved off to symbolize the effects of chemotherapy.

"(The fundraiser) let's you stand up for cancer and find a cure," Hamrick said.

Collectively, the students raised nearly $1,000 for the event, which featured more than 400 children and adults shaving their head to support childhood cancer research and to collect hair for wigs.

After the event, Humphries had a special visitor at Malow who had seen her profiled in a Detroit Free Press article.

Mike Ciani, a UCS resident and Stevenson High School graduate, wanted to thank Humphriesas his daughter Jessica - who will start at Plumbrook Elementary next year - is a leukemia survivor.

They brought flowers to the school and Jessica gave Humphries a card she created that said "You are my hero."

"It was nice to meet the little girl," Humphries said. "It made me feel good that I was able to help."

The St. Baldrick's fundraiser is an annual event. Both participated after learning about it from friends and family and in honor of someone in their life.

When asked if they planned to do it again next year, Humphries and Hamrick had the same response. Rubbing their heads, they both smiled, said yes, and that "it is growing back quicker than I thought it would."

"The kids need it more than I do," Humphries said. "It grows back."