"Bald is the new beautiful" Lake Shore Central Schools hold their 20th Bald for Bucks

ANGOLA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Cheers filled the auditorium of John T. Waugh Elementary as nearly 80 students, staff and some parents throughout Lake School Central School District received a new hairdo to show their support for cancer research and care.

For some students, it means much more than a haircut.

"I'm showing my best friend that she's not alone," said fifth-grader Sophia Rivera. "Her name is Zoey Barone. I'm showing her that even though she may be going bald when she has surgery, it doesn't mean she's going to be alone."

For brothers Louis and Henry Braasch, they shaved their heads in remembrance of their loved one who passed away from brain cancer.

"We wanted to shave our heads in honor of our stepdad Joe," they said.

In 2002, Lake Shore high school teacher Tony George shaved his head in honor of his sister Cathleen whose cancer came back. Thus, Bald for Bucks was born and now more than 20 years later more than 13 schools are supporting the cause. The district has raised over $30,000.

All of the money will be going towards critical clinical trials and research at Roswell Park as well as patient care programs for those undergoing cancer treatment. Support doesn't have to come from shaving your head either. The school offered temporary hair dye and braiding this year to raise money in other ways.

"As a whole it brought our community together," said principal Andrea Cwynar. "We couldn't ask for more."