Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Claire Padgett PIKE president James Palu gets his head shaved for charity. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Claire Padgett Members of PIKE, above, after the charity event. [Click to enlarge]

The reason why 46 members of Pi Kappa Alpha decided to go bald last week was to raise money for cancer research.

Last week, a collection of hair could be seen on the University Union floor as members of the fraternity had their heads shaved to support St. Baldrick's foundation, which funds children's cancer research.

Vincent Olivero, a sophomore communication studies major and member of the fraternity, said he's used to having hair, so being bald was different experience.

"That's the only reason I'd ever go bald - for a good cause like this," he said.

Olivero said his mom had cancer, so he can empathize with people who have it, especially children.

"Anything we can do to help them out by raising money and shaving our heads is always great," he said.

Robert Palu, senior business major and the president of Pi Kappa Alpha, mentioned that community service is one of the core pillars in his fraternity. He feels it's necessary to promote the charity events fraternities participate in, to let people know they're doing positive things for the community.

"While we're doing good things, no one knows about it so they only talk about the negatives they read in the press."

Palu said this was one of the first times his fraternity has sent out press releases to local media to try to get people interested in what they were doing.

"One of the main things we said was, 'we're doing this event for charity and it's a good charity. We just want to share with the local community that fraternities aren't here to cause problems.'"

The fraternity's first charity event on campus helped to raise over $6,000 in donations.

St. Baldrick's mission is to "raise awareness and funds to cure kids cancer by supporting cancer research and fellowships," according to the foundation's 2009 press kit.

Palu mentioned there has been a lot of talk within his fraternity about doing another charity event like St. Baldrick's next year.

"I hope whoever takes over after me pursues that," he said.

Palu said in the past, an alumnus had received donations from friends and family when he participated in the St. Baldrick's event with four other members. This semester, Palu came up with the idea to have his whole chapter support the cause.

"One of the things we do have is a lot of members who could help out, so any activity which would benefit from a large group of men participating always makes for a successful event," Palu said.

Palu said he and his fraternity members sent out e-mails to attract donations. Many of the donations came from the members' family and friends, who were able to help by giving donations of $1 to $499.

"I personally sent out maybe 25 e-mails to close family and friends and I was able to raise $680," Palu said.

The fraternity's $5,000 goal was set by Karlos Santos -Coy, Program Advisor for Student Activities and an Alumnus of Sacramento State.

Santos-Coy, who is also an Alumnus of Pi Kappa Alpha, said he challenged the fraternity to reach $5,000, and if they did, he would also get his head shaved.

"They definitely rose to the challenge. I think they got to$ 4,923 when my wife decided she would contribute the last $77," he said.

Santos-Coy was not surprised to find out the fraternity raised more than $5,000.

Palu said his fraternity, who has a strong affiliation with the fire department, has raised money for Shriners Hospital to help burn victims.

"You kind of run out of ways to raise money besides just asking for donations from fraternities and sororities, which have no money to begin with," Palu said.

Pamela Murphy, a Mellow Me Out stylist said she was excited to shave heads for the event.

"I think it's a wonderful thing and I'm glad that I can actually be involved in it," she said.

Steve Hodge, Mellow Me Out spa manager at the Sac State location, agreed.

"I thought it was a great way to get cancer awareness out there," Hodge said.

Palu said when his fraternity brothers found out they were working with St. Baldrick's, they were excited, however, the excitement wore off a bit when they realized their heads would be shaved.

"They definitely got over it on their own," Palu said. "They found greater importance in the cause than their hair."

Kyle Sorensen, freshman business major and a member of the fraternity anticipated getting his head shaved.

"It's all about trying to help find a cure for cancer -anything that can help it, so why not? Hair grows back, so why not donate?"



Christina Li can be reached at cli@statehornet.com