Two UW Radiologists, Dr. Fred Lee and Dr. Perry Pickhardt, recently participated in the Shave to Save event, shaving their heads to help raise money for the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center and American Family Children’s hospital.
The event, in its first year, raised nearly $32,000 among 50 participants. Erin McCarthy and Rachel McMahon, two cytotechnologists closely involved with the Department of Radiology, pioneered the event because although there are similar events nationwide, they wanted to directly benefit the UW-Madison community.
“Even for such a good cause,” said Lee, “I was skeptical Erin would actually shave her head… Her response was to sign me up as one of the shavees without my knowledge!” Lee said he knew if he backed out, McCarthy would have free range to insult his alma mater, Michigan, since her alma mater is Michigan State, so he figured he would go through with shaving his head to save his Wolverine pride.
“As I started to fundraise, I was very touched by the generosity of many of our faculty, technologists, nurses, and friends—almost all of whom had a personal story about a loved one who had a struggle with cancer,” Lee said.
From the Department of Radiology, Lee and Pickhardt participated, as well as Wendy Trotter from MRI and Jan Ketzler, Radiology’s Clinical Program Coordinator. Pickhardt’s 10-year-old son, Silas, also joined the event. “It was a great experience for him,” Pickhardt said.
Said McCarthy in a UW Health interview, “There’s been such tremendous support from within UW Health, and among those whose lives have been affected by cancer… It’s truly been amazing to hear their stories and to see everyone gathered for such an important cause.”