Southers Shaves for Relay for Life

After students at the College of Allied Health Sciences raised almost $3,000 for cancer research this spring they celebrated—by shaving their professor's head.

Barry Southers, an assistant professor of Advanced Medical Imaging Technology, had told his students he would let them shave off his hair if the team reached its fundraising goal of $2,500 for the American Cancer Society. The fundraising was part of the annual Relay for Life event, held Friday, April 4, at the University of Cincinnati.

The Advanced Medical Imaging Technology (AMIT) program at Allied Health has participated in Relay for Life here for the past three years as team "Diagnostic Detectives."

Katie Ulm, AMIT student group president and Relay for Life team captain, said Southers' bet was an attempt to motivate the team: "And it did!"

"Most of our total donations came from students seeking donations from family and friends, but we raised almost $700 the night of Relay by selling Outback Steakhouse hamburgers, popcorn from the Danbarry Theater, cupcakes, and pop," she adds. "Our team really worked hard together to bring all the supplies needed to make this night so successful. Hopefully we have started a tradition that will be upheld each year by the AMIT Program!"

Overall, the students raised $2,695 for cancer research, more than $1,000 over last year's total.