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Public Relations Student to Shave Head to Support Those Affected by Cancer

Betsy GarbeLosing hair can cause a lot of heartache for people. It can be especially difficult if the loss is due to cancer chemotherapy.

Ferris State University student Betsy Garbe, a junior from Allegan majoring in Public Relations, hopes that voluntarily losing her hair on Thursday, Jan. 30 will show support for people dealing with one of the nation’s leading causes of death: cancer. Garbe will have her head shaved at The Studio in downtown Big Rapids, at 7 p.m., with her family and closest friends present and supportive.

“Hundreds of thousands of women lose their hair due to chemo for cancer and other diseases and for me to place so much of my worth on my hair is petty and ridiculous,” Garbe said. “I wanted to show my support for people who struggle with this issue in the best way I can. To deal with the emotional hurdles others endure and to hopefully find myself in the process will be challenging as well as rewarding.”

Cancer has been very prevalent in Garbe’s family and has significantly impacted her life. She lost her grandfather to colon cancer in December 1993. In December 2012, Garbe’s aunt won her battle with breast cancer.

Shaving her head is also part of her journey and personal campaign, Live Shamelessly. Garbe will spend the next 365 days doing things that challenge and scare her while she puts herself in the public eye as a way to improve her self-confidence.