Cherokee Washington High School students raise nearly $10,000 for cancer research

CHEROKEE, Iowa (KTIV) - Iowa has the second highest cancer rate in the country, and Cherokee County has the third highest cancer rate in the state. To raise awareness for cancer research, high school students in Cherokee, Iowa held a Cut-A-Thon.

“I wanted to donate hair because my family members had hair loss and I don’t want to go through that so I’m cutting my hair,” said third-grader Lilly Ruhland.

A dozen students and teachers donated their hair for a Cut-A-Thon at Washington High School.

One high school student donated 13 inches of hair after growing her hair out for 3 years, specifically for the Cut-A-Thon.

“I like to think about the greater cause of the entire thing and about how it’s not that much for me and how big it is for a little kid to get a wig,” said ninth-grader Cali Erlandson.

All the hair collected is donated to Children with Hair Loss. National Honor Society students say this charity was chosen because they provide free wigs for children.

In between hair donations, National Honor Society students held fun activities to entertain the audience, including giving bowl cuts, but more importantly to raise more money for cancer research.

“My wife was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma about 5 years ago. So, anything I can do to kind of support. Going through the process, she’s been through, we see everything up close and firsthand. And you see how hard the journey is. So, when they go to do something special like this, it’s just an opportunity to help,” said Health and Physical Education teacher Matt Hoskinson.

The students created tiers with fun goals to raise money for cancer research. When they reached $700, teachers dyed their beards pink. At $1,400 administrators bedazzled their heads. The principal bedazzled his actual bald head. At $2,800 students waxed their armpits. At $3,200, the golf team shaved their legs. And at $3,500 four students had a mystery haircut.

“It truly just shows that people are willing to embarrass themselves on stage or do something fun for the benefit of the community. And having those activities just keeps the audience involved and that it’s not just super sad and all that. That it’s a little uplifting and is like ‘Oh raising awareness for cancer is a good thing’,” said twelfth-grader Adyson Jenness.

The school raised $4,748, and Mayo Clinic will match 100% of their donation to equal $9,496 going to cancer research. All the money raised goes to Mayo Clinic.

Jenness says the event shows how the Cherokee community can come together for a common goal.

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