Buffalo Bandits Help WNYers Go Bald for Bucks, Raise Nearly $11,000 to Support Pediatric Cancer Patients

BUFFALO, NY — On Saturday, April 7, Buffalo Bandits players shaved the heads of 15 Western New Yorkers at a Goin’ Bald for Bucks event they hosted at the First Niagara Center. The event raised nearly $11,000 to benefit pediatric cancer patients at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Bandits players Mark Steenhuis, Billy Dee Smith and John Tavares were among 15 players who helped shave the heads of their fans following their game against the Calgary Roughnecks. Proceeds from the event will be earmarked for the new pediatric unit at Roswell Park in the name of Tucker Williams and family. Tucker Williams is the seven-year-old son of Bandits forward Shawn Williams who is currently being treated for Stage III Burkitt Lymphoma.

“We are very appreciative and thankful to the Buffalo Bandits for hosting a Bald for Bucks event and to their fans who helped raise funds to benefit pediatric cancer patients in Western New York,” said Andrea Gregory, Special Events Manager at Roswell Park. “The new pediatric unit at Roswell Park will help other kids like Tucker Williams, and we are certainly thinking of him and his family during this difficult time.”

The Buffalo Bandits have been a longtime supporter of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Their ongoing support makes a tremendous difference in the lives of cancer patients throughout our community and around the world.

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, Bald for Bucks was born. To date, more than $2.4 million has been raised through Bald for Bucks.

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The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is 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, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.