Officer Sheila Strange with her granddaughter after shaving her head
Area fire, EMS and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department personnel ‘braved the shave’ to raise over $3,000 for the Chattanooga American Cancer Society at the inaugural Battle of the Buzz at Parkridge Medical Center.
Area first responders were challenged to show their support for the fight against cancer by raising a minimum of $50 for the ACS in order to have their heads shaved at the event, presented by Parkridge Medical Center and Lifeguard Ambulance Service. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Corrections Officer Sheila Strange was the Battle of the Buzz top fundraiser, collecting over $1,500 in donations to have her long red hair shaved from her head. Officer Strange’s participation honored her family members and work colleagues affected by various forms of cancer. The funds will be used to purchase wigs and headcoverings for area cancer patients.
“It was a great showing for a first event,” noted Mark Melville, Lifeguard Ambulance Service operations manager and one of the event organizers. “We appreciate everyone who helped make this event a success, especially the Virginia College cosmetology students who donated their services to shave the heads of our successful fundraisers. We look forward to growing the event and making it even better next year. “
“Parkridge was proud to be a part of Battle of the Buzz,” notes Melissa Pendergrass, oncology navigator at The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge Medical Center. “Wigs and headcoverings can make a big difference in the outlook of a cancer patient - looking good makes people feel better, and this is especially true in the case of someone facing a battle with cancer. The funds raised will have a positive impact on the lives of many cancer patients in our community.”
For more information about The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge Medical Center, visit
ParkridgeHealth.com. For information about services provided by the American Cancer Society, visit
cancer.org.
Dale Solomon, ER director at Parkridge East Hospital, gets his head shaved