Perspectives Winter/Spring 2019

4 | DR. PALLAVI PATEL COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES development process, affording them the opportunity for community service. (B.S. in Respiratory Therapy students must complete two community service projects per academic year.) Then the committee, along with the rest of the class of 2019, assisted with advertising efforts, collecting donations, and setting up on event day. I challenged the students to raise $300 and promised that, if their efforts were successful, I would shave my head. The students accepted the challenge and raised $320, in addition to the donations received at the event. The class of 2019 greatly enjoyed watching me lose my hair, and some even broadcast my new hairdo on Facebook Live. As I laughed along with my students, I thought of my son. [Three years ago], my son, Caeden, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor and underwent brain surgery and proton beam radiation treatments, as well as six months of chemotherapy. During his treatment, the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST) at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, provided emotional support, notifica- tion of resources, and sometimes a sympathetic ear. In gratitude for POST’s invaluable support, I organized the first Shave Your Hair if You Dare event in Sep- tember 2016. My son was the first Patient of Honor. The 2018 Patient of Honor was Emilio (Milo) Sanchez—a six-year-old boy battling a clear cell sarcoma tumor on his kidney. He is receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments to his abdo- men and lungs that will continue until early 2019. Unfortunately, Milo could not attend because of his monthly inpatient chemo- therapy. However, his mother, grandmother, and other family members were able to be present. Shave Your Hair if You Dare gives students, faculty and staff members, and the community the opportunity to bring awareness and support to pediatric patients battling cancer. It lets patients know they are not in the fight for life alone. Cosmetologists from Sports Clips in Jensen Beach volunteered their time and skill with haircuts and/or shaving. The event, which was a huge success, allowed the students to learn about community service and the work that goes into planning events. Undergraduate student Josue Hernandez acknowledged it took a lot of work, but added, “Watching those kids smile is worth it. After it was over, I felt like I wanted to do more.” Terry Smith, left, and Leonardo Rodriguez get their heads shaved. My son, Caeden, is now cancer-free, and the Department of Cardio- pulmonary Sciences wishes the same for Milo and all the little warriors fighting pediatric cancer. Braving Shave THE