Bald is Beautiful with Shave to Save

For the past 15 years, Shave to Save has helped raise funds for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Kansas City Community, a place for cancer patients and their caregivers to stay, free of charge, during their treatment. Men and women alike offer their hope and hair in making Shave to Save one of the American Cancer Society’s most fun, unique and heartwarming events.

One hundred percent of the donations and sponsorship money raised at Shave to Save directly funds the Hope Lodge of Kansas City’s day-to-day operations and helps keep their doors open. Undergoing treatment for cancer can be financially and emotionally devastating. The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Kansas City provides patients with the nurturing, comfortable environment they need to concentrate on what’s most important–fighting cancer. Hope Lodge is also a place to learn about cancer and how best to fight the disease. At Hope Lodge, cancer patients and their loved ones are armed with the vital information needed to help them make informed decisions.

Since opening in 2000, Hope Lodge Kansas City has served more than 12,000 patients and their caregivers.To date, Shave to Save has had more than 220 Shavees and has contributed more than $2 million to the operating budget of the Hope Lodge Kansas City.

Gary Lezak, 41 Action News Chief Meteorologist, and local advertising agency VML have been a crucial part of the event from the beginning. VML started this event when then-CEO Matt Anthony’s brother was diagnosed with cancer. Gary Lezak, a good friend to Matt and fellow cancer survivor, joined the event as emcee a year later, and he has been emceeing ever since. VML designs the collateral and theme each year for the event, including this year’s theme: Bald is Beautiful, celebrating cancer patients and Shavees alike.

“I became involved with Shave to Save 15 years ago when I was just two years out from chemotherapy and treatments for the bone cancer that I was diagnosed with in late 1999. Shave to Save became an important fundraising event that allowed me to share a positive attitude with many others who were either going through cancer treatments or dealing with this disease. It has always been a fun, yet emotional, event that I am proud to be involved with each year,” said Lezak, Shave Emcee and 2017 Honorary Chair. ■

Written by: Amy Haynes and Stephanie Maurer

Shave to Save 2017
Shave to Save is an annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society to raise money for the Hope Lodge Kansas City Community. Event goers will enjoy heavy appetizers, drinks, silent and live auction, entertainment and, most importantly, they will support this year’s Shavees, who will shave their heads on stage in support of those fighting back against cancer. The 2017 event is scheduled for April 1 at The Gallery Event Space at P&L and begins at 6:00 p.m. To learn more, buy tickets or sign up to be a Shavee, visit shavetosave.org.