More Than A Haircut

by Nalina Shapiro
edited by Erica Jordan

Inside the Parkman Bandstand Gazebo in Boston Common on Saturday April 10, hairdressers chopped and buzzed away.

With help from volunteers dressed in bright orange t-shirts, The Buzzing for Change Foundation along with Starlight Children’s Foundation of New England, recruited supporters and collected ten dollar donations in exchange for hair cuts.  

Jonelle Prill-Tate, Community Development Officer for Starlight works with children and teenagers living with cancer. “What we do is provide sick children entertainment, education and anything to put a smile on their face,” said Prill-Tate. “They are already going through so much, and anything we can do that will prevent them from taking additional mediation, depression mediation for example, is our goal.”

Junior Rob Harpin is in cancer remission after going through six chemotherapy treatments for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Harpin said events like Buzzing in Boston matter.“I feel lucky because my case was curable, it only took me six months. You have to realize that you’re always better off than other people in life, and even something small like cutting your hair is going to make a difference,” said Harpin.

photo : http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rharpin/journal

Back in August 2009, doctors found tumors in Harpin’s lungs, one the size of a grapefruit. He also had tumors in his abdomen, kidneys and had an enlarged spleen. In Harpin’s case, he was lucky. His dad works for Pfizer and through connections sent Harpin to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

“I know not everyone can be treated by the best doctors,” said Harpin.

That reason is why Harpin said giving back is so important. “They saved my life at Yale. Even though my cancer was curable, at one point I was in the ICU for three days, with internal bleeding, dying, because of a cancerous cell on my intestines,” said Harpin.

Harpin said foundations like Starlight that provide emotional support along with others that donate money towards cancer research, are lifesavers.  “Ten years ago when people heard the word cancer, many thought you could not recover, now that is possible,” said Harpin.

In the meantime, children living with cancer or going through treatments rely on foundations like Starlight to help them and their families pull through difficult times.

Prill -Tate said nothing is more satisfying then bringing a little joy back into  the lives of sick children.

“One time we took the kids and families to a Celtics parade on St. Patty’s day. That was really fun for everyone,” said Prill-Tate.

Now that Harpin has gotten through chemo, he is back at school, and said he could not feel any better. “I feel one hundred percent right now,” said Harpin.

Harpin, a media production major, said he is looking forward to the future. “This summer I have an internship at Fox National News in New York City and also might be taking over the sports re-cap with my friend next year,” said Harpin. “I look at this as another experience in my life, and you just move on.”