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Nurse Shaves to save lives

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Written by Arley Hoskin   
Sunday, 10 May 2009 23:00
altKansas City Cancer Center nurse Jenny Quinn, RN, BSN, said goodbye to her thick brown locks during an American Cancer Society fundraiser May 7.
Kansas City Cancer Center employees participate in the Shave to Save event each year. Participants shave their heads in order to raise funds for the cancer society.
Quinn sought donations from family, friends and co-workers, with a goal of $5,000. Quinn raised more than $3,000 and Kansas City Cancer Center pledged to donate the money that Quinn lacks to ensure that she reaches her goal.
The 21 participants in the Shave to Save event raised more than $100,000. The money will be used to fund the society's Hope Lodge, where cancer patients can stay during treatment for no cost.
Locks of Love also benefits from Shave to Save. Quinn and other participants will donate their hair to the nonprofit that provides hair pieces to children who suffer long-term medical hair loss.
Quinn donated more than 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love a few years ago, which left her hair in a short bob. She has never shaved her head before.
"I haven't seen my bald head since I was a baby," Quinn said.
Jenny's husband, Rance Quinn, volunteered to have his head shaved for the event as well.
"He's always been a good support," Quinn said.
Jenny and Rance have family members who have suffered from cancer. Jenny said her family members and patients motivated her to take this step.
A shaved head will allow Jenny to relate to her cancer patients on a different level.
"I'm not going to get a wig," she said. "I'll probably just wear hats and scarves."
Along with raising funds for the American Cancer Center, Jenny said she hopes to create dialogue about cancer through her bald head.
"I'll be happy to tell (people) my story if they ask," Quinn said.
Kansas City Cancer Center oncologist Mark Thompson, MD, also had his head shaved during the event.
Thompson said Quinn's willingness to participate encouraged him to get on board.
"If she can do it, I thought I can do it," Thompson said.
Of the 21 Shave to Save participants, five are women.
Quinn had more hair to lose than most of the male participants, but that did not seem to faze her.
"It's just hair," she said. "It grows."

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written by James Wake, May 12, 2009
That's my daughter, I am very proud of her.and she wasn't to bald when she was born, she had a little hair.

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