Westminster College student commits to shaving head for cancer awareness

The 20-year-old launches fundraiser with a $1,000 goal for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Brier Skogsberg, junior at Westminster College, launched a fundraising campaign on Wednesday with a $1,000 goal for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To also raise awareness about cancer, Skogsberg has committed to shaving her head.
Brier Skogsberg, junior at Westminster College, launched a fundraising campaign on Wednesday with a $1,000 goal for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To also raise awareness about cancer, Skogsberg has committed to shaving her head.

Westminster College student Brier Skogsberg said she's thankful no one in her family has been diagnosed with cancer, but she knows that isn't the case for many of her friends and their families.

Skogsberg also understands the devastation cancer causes and has always wanted to do something about it.

Five years ago, at the age of 15, Skogsberg first told her mother, Angela Welte, that she wanted to shave her head and fundraise for a cancer organization. Although she didn't go through with the thought, it remained with her.

"I don't have a lot of money myself ... But, I can give my hair and unite people," Skogsberg said.

When Skogsberg finally decided to go through with shaving her head, Welte said she was a little surprised as a mother but is glad her daughter stuck with the cause.

"I think she's very brave and courageous for wanting to go through with all of this," Welte said, adding that her daughter has always looked out for others.

Skogsberg kicked off an online fundraising campaign on Wednesday with a $1,000 goal for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. And, whether or not she hits her goal, Skogsberg said she will go bald, shaving off 10 inches of her brunette locks for Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.

"I told (my mom) yesterday when I made the page and she was shocked, but she's very excited I'm going through with it," Skogsberg said.

Her sorority sister in Kappa Kappa Gamma, Lucy Heinrich, shaved her head as a cancer research fundraiser last year, which motivated Skogsberg to follow through with her plan.

"It kind of kindled my fire a little bit," she said.

Of all the ways to raise awareness for cancer, Heinrich said she chose to shave her head because of the concept's tangibility and feeling - something solely online fundraising can't provide.

"You see the emotion of people making a statement in their community," Skogsberg said.

Skogsberg said she decided that donations will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital rather than other cancer-related organizations because children need time to engage in more experiences.

"The children at St. Jude have so much life ahead of them," she said.

Skogsberg has sported long hair her entire life, and is frequently asked about her hair growing back from its bald state. She said she understands it will come back and she's looking forward to a short hair style.

"It will be fun and different," Skogsberg said.

Skogsberg added that she's working with Westminster's Campus Activities Board to set up a head shaving event for the beginning of November. Her fundraiser will remain open until Nov. 21.

To donate to Skogsberg's fundraiser, go to youcaring.com and search "Brier Skogsberg."