Camaraderie, community spirit and caring kids came together for the ninth annual Planet Head Day, held Feb. 14 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
The event, intended to highlight science education with its focus on Pluto, takes another important tack as a key fundraiser to help local cancer patients. All proceeds from the event go to Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery, or C-A-N-C-E-R, a local organization which provides outreach and support for those experiencing the disease.
“It was a love-in,” said C-A-N-C-E-R chairperson Louise Cardone Calabrese. “Being held on Valentine’s Day, it evolved into a love-in by itself. It was special.”
Calabrese said contributions so far are at $11,000, with mail still coming in. At least 54 heads were shaved, more than last year, and over 100 heads were painted.
Planet Head Day got its start when UMPI Professor of Geology Kevin McCartney wanted to highlight NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto, while at the same time supporting cancer patients including his colleague Jeanie McGowan, who was at the time going through cancer treatment. The two devised the first event in 2007, and it has grown steadily since. It is now C-A-N-C-E-R’s major fundraiser.
Participants had the option of shaving their heads or having them covered with a bald cap, then painted to resemble planets or other celestial entities.
Along with the astronomical artistry, there was plenty of atmosphere to go along with the day. WAGM Meteorologist Ted Shapiro reprised his role as emcee. Pizza Hut, as in years past, provided food and drink, and NASA provided birthday cake in honor of the 85th anniversary of Pluto’s discovery. There were displays around the room to highlight both C-A-N-C-E-R and science education.
Calabrese said a number of retailers donated gift certificates and other items for prizes, and Gail Clukey of Clukey’s Auto Supply provided the popcorn machine and all the fixings. There was a children’s craft table, an appearance by the County Clownz (a group of women clowns from Patten), and several teens from area high schools who were there to help in any way they could. A group called the Knotty Knitters was on hand to present over 60 handmade hats to make sure folks with shaved heads were warm.
“People just wanted to be there,” marveled Calabrese. “I was just thrilled. It’s very emotional, and people give with their hearts.”
According to UMPI officials, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics was poised to join the festivities via Skype, with instructor Larry Berz the happy victim of a shearing and painting; however, since weather cancelled MSSM activities, a delegation arrived in person in Presque Isle. In the barber chair, Berz had his head shaved by MSSM Executive Director Luke Shorty and painted by Limestone Community School art instructor Jessica Goodwin.
Presque Isle High School students Kate Leavitt, Elizabeth Butterfield and Renee Browning, members of a Skills USA team, worked with photographer Dave Allen to take before and after pictures of the participants. “They will use the results to enter a competition in Bangor,” Calabrese noted. “They photographed over 200 people.”
One young man, 10-year-old Mason Allen of Presque Isle, began with the desire to raise $1,000 to help other people. The son of Kim and Chris Allen, he undertook a media campaign for C-A-N-C-E-R and at the end wound up raising $3,200.
“He was in shock,” said Calabrese. “He was so happy.”
What has astounded both Calabrese and co-founder McCartney over the years is the number of young people, some of them very young, who participate.
“When I see the kids here, I know that science, cancer and the value of community service has been learned by young minds in a manner that will never be forgotten,” noted McCartney.
Among participants again this year were Tim and Dusty Graham, honoring the memory of Heidi Graham, their wife and mother, respectively.
“They wanted to give back and do this again,” Calabrese said, “because C-A-N-C-E-R was there for Heidi and they want to raise funds so we can help others. Then there was a woman in Ashland who raised $1,200. She had a passion to do it because of how she feels about what we do,” she added.
C-A-N-C-E-R is an all-volunteer organization that supports those who have been diagnosed until other agencies can come in and help them. Due to medical privacy considerations, they only step in with proper notification. “We depend on people to tell us who has been recently diagnosed or is in treatment,” she added.
One special aspect of the group’s outreach is “bread of life” bags, filled with goods baked and delivered by volunteers each month to patients C-A-N-C-E-R serves.
“We’re neighbors helping neighbors,” she said simply. “That’s the heart of our coming together as a community.”
Anyone interested may donate to C-A-N-C-E-R at P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, or call Calabrese at 764-7066 for more information.
