When talking about cancer research, we often hear about the money raised by organizations like Livestrong and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We hear about the work St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House does to help patients and their families.
What we don’t often hear about are teenagers who shave their heads to help cancer patients—unless they’re Jack Skowronnek.
Jack’s story starts at age 10 when he read “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pies”. Author Jordan Sonnenblick tells the story of Stephen, who shaves his head to make Jeffrey, his younger brother, feel better about losing his hair to chemotherapy as he fight leukemia.
Moved by this story, Jack, like Stephen, shaves his head every year. But far beyond his own annual bald pate, Jack started Jack’s Chattanoggins, a citywide event held each June during which volunteers (called “shavees”) who have solicited money from family and friends, shave their heads. The money each shavee accumulates is donated to childhood cancer research.
Now in its fourth year, Jack’s Chattanoggins, working with the Erlanger Hospital Foundation, has raised more than $95,000.
This June 1, starting at 11 a.m., Jack and his team of shavees will once again be at the Chattanooga Market. This year’s proceeds will be donated to the Center for Childhood and Blood Disorders at TC Children’s Hospital.
To find out more about Jack’s Chattanoggins visit jackshaves.org
The Sunday Chattanooga Market happens from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St.