“You will lose your hair.” Imagine hearing that from your oncologist? And of course you get to hear this shortly after hearing the worst news of all. "You have cancer.”

Hair loss from chemotherapy is common.  In fact, it's expected.  As the chemotherapy wages war on cells that divide very quickly, skin, hair and nails become collateral damage.  There's even a clinical term for it:  chemotherapy-induced alopecia.  It begins one to two months into treatment, usually after session number two.  The emotional side effects of losing your hair, though, are overlooked.  “It's only hair, right?  It grows back.”  That's what I thought.  I wanted all those ‘bad boy cells’ out of my system, so I said, “Pam, do what it takes.  You’re not emotionally attached to your silky, auburn, naturally curly locks.” I couldn't have been more wrong!

I picked out my wig before the hair loss began...almost went blonde.  My oncologist suggested I get one between the first and second chemo sessions.  That way, I’d be ready when my hair started to fall out.  He even suggested I consider shaving my head—shaving should make it easier. Then one morning I noticed hair on my pillow when I woke up.  I found strands of hair intertwined in my fingers.  And I felt that awful sensation of tiny pin pricks dancing across every hair follicle, and the increased tenderness of my scalp.  Some have likened it to having Mom pull your ponytail too tight.

Off to be clipped and shorn.  

Whether you’re male or female, you probably have heard the sound of the clippers.  It's a buzzing sound.  When you hear it as a cancer patient, you suddenly face the reality that your hair is going; then it's gone.  You're really sick.  Especially for a woman, being bald puts a shiny, flesh-colored sign on your head that says, "I HAVE CANCER."

I am a survivor.  Cancer-free for eight years now.  Over five years ago, I started Halos of Hope to provide comfort and dignity to those dealing with hair loss due to chemotherapy or radiation.  Through the generosity of knitters and crocheters everywhere, we’ve sent out more than 72,000 hats.  Our biggest challenge though, is shipping hats to over 450 cancer centers nationwide.  Shipping is our single, largest annual expense.

So in an effort to help Halos of Hope raise funds needed to continue sending out hats across the country, three amazing and selfless men are generating the 'buzz' of awareness.  Drew Emborsky (a.k.a . the Crochet Dude™), Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc. & STITCHES Expos, and Mark Moraca, co-owner of Kollage Yarns will take the stage at STITCHES East in a gesture of solidarity for cancer patients everywhere—and one of them will lose his hair.

We're calling it: "The Great Halos of Hope Buzzz." Which man will it be?  You can vote for your favorite man to “Save” or “Shave” by donating to Halos of Hope. Online voting starts today, and will continue through October 13, 2012 at noon.  He who has the most votes loses—his hair, that is, and will be professionally and publicly shaved on the STITCHES East Market stage, to support those who lose their hair in fighting ‘the Big C’.

Help us spread the word.  Tell your friends, relatives, yarn shop owners, designers, co-workers.  Each $10 vote ensures that 31 more hats are sent to those in need.  Who will you vote for?

Please let your employers and companies know that matching funds are welcomed.

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