Cheerleader to Shave Head to Support Colt's Coach's Cancer Research
The Indianapolis Colts were stunned when their head coach, Chuck Pagano, was diagnosed with leukemia.
Megan M., a cheerleader for the team, announced on Sunday that she is showing her support for cancer treatment by accepting a challenge that could result in her head being shaved.
Pagano first received support from 25 Colt players who shaved their heads for their coach in his battle against cancer. On Nov. 11, a challenge was announced on Twitter by the team's mascot, Blue.
The mascot's challenge to all the cheerleaders of the Colts said that if he could raise $10,000 for leukemia research by the Colts vs. Bills game on Nov. 25, one cheerleader would have to shave her head.
Megan M. decided that she would be that cheerleader.
Money raised through the challenge will benefit leukemia research at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis.
"Blue challenged any of us cheerleaders," Megan said to ABC 6 in Indianapolis. "If he would raise $10,000 for cancer research, he asked if any of us would shave our head at the next game."
Megan explained why she made the decision to show her support: "Because of myself having friends who've been affected by cancer. And family members and my volunteer work, it was just something I absolutely wanted to do."
The team's mascot is asking fans to donate to the CHUCKSTRONG fund on the Colts website.
A statement on the website offers a chance for people to show their support: "In addition, if Colts fans would like to shave their heads in honor of Coach Pagano, they can do so free of charge by visiting select Great Clips locations through Friday, November 23. Click HERE to see a list of participating Great Clips locations. For each fan who shaves their head, Great Clips will donate $10 to support Blue's CHUCKSTRONG Challenge for leukemia research. Individuals who shave their heads can tweet photos using #CHUCKSTRONG and #OperationShaveMegansHead."
All donations will go to fund leukemia research at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis.
