Chef’s Restaurant Owner to Shave His Head for Roswell Park’s Goin’ Bald for Bucks

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Lou Billittier, owner of Chef’s Restaurant, has a big announcement – he’s Goin’ Bald for Bucks. Billittier announced today that he will raise funds to have his head shaved on March 20 by “Rayzor” Rob Ray, sports broadcaster and former Buffalo Sabre. All funds raised will directly benefit the cutting-edge research and patient care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Billittier, alongside the “Rayzor,” announced his mission this afternoon before an unsuspecting group of lunch patrons. Billittier decided to take on the challenge to “go bald” to bring awareness to the cancer cause for the almost 10,000 new cancer patients in the Western New York area each year, and to help find a cure.

“Anyone who knows me knows how I am about my hair even being out of place, so this is huge for me,” said Billittier. “I have lost many family members and good friends to this dreaded disease, and Goin’ Bald is for every one of them. This is a small sacrifice compared to what they have lost.”

Goin’ Bald for Bucks began when Western New Yorker Cathleen George was being treated for cancer in 2002. Her brother, Tony, vowed to keep his head shaved until his sister’s hair grew back. A teacher at Lake Shore High School, Tony shared his mission with his students when one jokingly said he would pay Tony to let him do the shaving. From this bet, Goin’ Bald for Bucks was born.

“For patients undergoing treatment, losing hair is often one of the first difficult steps in their battle with cancer,” said Dr. Donald Trump, president and CEO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Goin’ Bald for Bucks is a visual reminder of support to those undergoing cancer treatments, and raises critical funds for research and patient support programs at Roswell Park.”

To date, more than $1.6 million has been raised for Roswell Park through Goin’ Bald for Bucks, and 52 and counting schools and organizations across New York State participate in the program. Roswell Park serves 31,000 patients each year, and funds raised allow Roswell Park to accelerate the start of new research needed to help save lives, and also supports programs that assist patients through their cancer journey.

To donate to Lou Billittier’s Goin’ Bald, please click here.

Where the Donations Go
Funds raised through Goin’ Bald for Bucks directly benefit research and patient care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Roswell Park serves 31,000 patients each year, and funds raised allow Roswell Park to accelerate the start of new research needed to help save lives, and also supports programs that assist patients through their cancer journey. 

About Roswell Park
The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org.