20 Steward School students cut hair, shave heads at event that raised thousands for cancer

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Steward School's Cancer Awareness Club in Richmond held its Clips for Cancer event on Friday, where 20 students had their hair cut or heads shaved to raise money and awareness for cancer.

At 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, the Clips for Cancer event was held at The Steward School, located at 11600 Gayton Road, where nine students had their hair cut and 11 shaved their heads to donate to children undergoing chemotherapy.

According to a spokesperson for the event, professional stylists volunteer to cut hair alongside teachers at the event and the hair is donated to Planet Hair, an organization that makes wigs for children affected by cancer or alopecia.

Students donating their hair at the Clips for Cancer event held at The Steward School in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 21, which raised money and awareness for cancer. (Photo courtesy: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

(Photo courtesy: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

Students watching their classmates donate their hair at the Clips for Cancer event held at The Steward School in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 21, which raised money and awareness for cancer. (Photo courtesy: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

(Photo courtesy: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

Additionally, The Steward School raised nearly $4,000 in donations in cash and through its donation page for the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation at the Clips for Cancer event on Friday.

8News spoke with Sadie Goldberg, a senior at The Steward School and president of the Cancer Awareness Club, who said the students who decided to donate their hair or shave their heads at the event had a lot of courage.

"I think it's really cool for students to watch their classmates be such a big part of a greater cause than just being in the Steward community, and I definitely think it's very motivating for them to see their classmates decide to donate hair, money or time, or shave their heads for awareness," Goldberg said.

Ian Joyner, an eighth grader and cancer survivor, shaved his head at the event.

Joyner said he was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in March 2024 and missed the last quarter of school because of it. He is currently in remission and gets scans every few months.

"It felt really nice to know that my other classmates and friends were supporting this really difficult thing that's going on, and it meant a lot to me to know that they're doing it for that purpose," Joyner said.