Students Participate in Shave for the Brave at ESU

Posted by: admin on April 1, 2015, No Comments

Erica-Richter-at-ESU-Shave-for-the-Brave
It was a four-year-old little girl that changed Erica Richter’s life. Six years ago, Richter was introduced to her daughter’s preschool friend, who was diagnosed with Leukemia. Seeing a chance to help young children, Richter, a junior at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania majoring in nursing from Roseto, Pa., began seeking new ways to fundraise for cancer research. A few years ago, while she was at a cancer walk, Richter spotted a bald woman in the crowd. She later discovered that the woman shaved her head for her son, who had passed away from Leukemia.

“I admired her from afar, and I just wanted to tell her what an inspiration she was,” she said. Richter wanted to inspire others the same way that woman once inspired her.

When Erica Richter has an idea, she makes it happen. On Tuesday, March 31, Richter shaved her head and watched her idea come to life. Richter and 12 others shaved their heads as a part of Shave for the Brave at ESU, an initiative to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Through the support of the Student Nursing Association, Richter and about 20 of her classmates coordinated the event as a part of their fundraising efforts to raise money for Leukemia. So far the students have raised over $4,000. Their overall goal is to reach $10,000.

Participants in Shave for the Brave were Felix Simonds, a junior majoring in criminal justice from Philadelphia, Pa., Jeff Jupiter, a freshman majoring in business management from Bushkill, Pa., Travis West, a sophomore majoring in athletic training from West Chester, Pa., Ivan Angeles, a sophomore majoring in business management from Lodi, N.J., Ryan Dee, a sophomore undeclared major from Howell, N.J., William Merring, a senior majoring in biology from Easton Pa., Carlos De La Cruz, a senior majoring in business management from Tobyhanna, Pa., John Freeman, Ph.D., ESU assistant professor of chemistry, and community members Brendan Walsh and Bob Zalewski.

“I hope that this inspired other people to do whatever it takes for the causes they are passionate about,” Richter said.

Donations are still being accepted. Support the cause at www.stbaldricks.org/events/esus4tb.