Southwest Florida came together in a powerful show of support during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, raising $175,000+ through Clips for Cancer and other community events to benefit Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital cancer fund.
“We are so grateful to this community for stepping up once again,” said Justin Brand, director of development for Lee Health Foundation. “These funds allow Barbara’s Friends to remove financial burdens for families, invest in lifesaving treatments, and provide hope for kids and families when they need it most.”
At the signature Clips for Cancer event on Sept. 20, 10 childhood cancer survivors and nine children still in treatment shaved the heads of 40 community leaders and supporters. Together, they raised critical funds and awareness while showing that being bald is not a sign of weakness but of strength in the fight through cancer treatment.
Sponsors for Clips for Cancer included Presenting Sponsor Florida Radiology Consultants, Stage Sponsor Cameratta Companies, Location Sponsors Bell Tower and Dave & Buster’s, Salon Sponsor Great Clips, and Media Sponsor Beasley Broadcasting.
Other events raising money for Barbara’s Friends also held throughout the month included:
- Boomz Barber Shop hosted Cuts for a Cause, offering free haircuts in exchange for donations to Barbara’s Friends.
- Mel’s Diner held Breakfast at Mel’s, donating all proceeds from a special $10 breakfast platter.
- 3 Pepper Burrito, with eight locations across Southwest Florida, raised funds through the sale of kids’ meals throughout the month.
- Perfect Game, featuring the nation’s top 14U baseball players, organized fundraising competitions.
- Pure Barre and CycleBar hosted benefit fitness classes open to all community members, regardless of membership.
Community support raised for Barbara’s Friends helps children and families navigating a cancer diagnosis. Some ways that families are assisted through these funds include gas cards to make sure kids can get to and from Golisano for daily treatments, paying for medications when insurance will not cover at-home chemo or pain relief drugs, or purchasing meals so parents can stay by their children during treatment. Additionally, Barbara’s Friends offers college scholarships so that survivors can apply for college funds.
Support for Barbara’s Friends is needed all year long. To make a donation or learn more, visit BarbarasFriends.org.
About Barbara’s Friends – Helping Kids with Cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1995, Barbara’s Friends provides equipment, staffing and services to support lifesaving cancer care for children from across Southwest Florida at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida and has served over 12,000 patients since opening. No child is denied treatment or turned away as a result of their family’s inability to pay for care. For more information about Barbara’s Friends fund and supporting child patients in your community, please call Lee Health Foundation at (239) 343-6950 or visit BarbarasFriends.org.
