Teen Cancer Survivor Hosts “For Hair’s Sake” Benefit at NSU to Collect Ponytails, Raise Funds for “Locks of Love,” Apr. 17

Local salons offer complimentary haircuts to “Locks for a Cause” donors, with funds raised to benefit cancer research

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Most 16-year-olds have enough worries,  from getting their driver’s license, to passing their next exam, to making plans with that special someone. But when Nova Southeastern University (NSU) freshman Lesly Viera was 16, she had a different kind of concern – she was diagnosed with cancer.

Doctors discovered a lymphoma located between her heart and lungs, so Lesly went through chemotherapy to beat the disease. Now, the 18-year-old biology major is stronger than ever and wants to give back to other teens and young adults affected by cancer. So despite carrying a full course load at NSU, Lesly started Locks for a Cause – a student organization that helps raise funds for cancer research.

On Sunday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the group will host its first event – “For Hair’s Sake” – to raise funds for cancer research and collect ponytails for Locks of Love, a non-profit that creates high-quality wigs for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy or a medical condition.

Local hairstylists from A’dazl Salon, Davie Smart Cuts, Gina’s Barber & Salon, Glamore Salon, Red Head Salon, Salon Euphoria and Shear Designs will offer complimentary haircuts to hair and monetary donors. Criteria for donating hair includes: hair must be at least 6 inches long; dyed hair is acceptable but bleached is not. Those unable to donate locks are also welcome to make a financial contribution.

While attending Mater Academy Charter High School in Hialeah Gardens, Lesly and her friends held a similar drive that collected more than 200 ponytails in one day.

“A hairpiece can give a child confidence and can make a terrible situation a little easier to cope with,” Lesly said. “Our hope is that we can bring the community together and get even more donations this time!”

• WHO: Cancer Survivor Lesly Viera and the NSU “Locks for a Cause” Student Group

• WHAT: “For Hair’s Sake,” a “Locks for a Cause” Ponytail Donation Drive

• WHEN: Sunday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• WHERE: Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue in Davie, in the Don Taft University Center

About Nova Southeastern University: Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 29,000 students and is the seventh largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

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Media Contacts:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 (office), 954-873-8494 (cell), andrali@nova.edu

Lynn Norman-Teck, Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools
305-216-6208 (cell), l.norman-teck@floridacharterschools.org