Every year, over 100 UT students participate in "Brave the Shave," an annual fundraiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation for pediatric cancer research, sponsored by S.M.I.L.E. (Students Making Impacts Through Love and Empathy). After months of fundraising, the participants have their heads shaved in front of their friends and fellow students at an annual carnival. The event is free for everyone to attend and get their faces painted, eat cookies, and play fun games, but donations are also accepted.

This year, the event honored 12-year-old Caroline Richards, from Austin, Texas, who passed away from Osteosarcoma on January 9, 2015. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) was found in Caroline's right arm in January 2014. She was hospitalized at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas where she received radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and physical therapy treatments. When Caroline felt well enough, she loved to shop, spend time with her family and two dogs, and baking desserts for her neighbors. Her positivity was infectious and inspiring to those around her. She was one of five St. Baldrick's Foundation ambassadors for 2015.

Caroline's story touched the UT campus and inspired people to be involved in "Brave the Shave," where they raised over $50,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Madi Kirk, event coordinator, and also participant, said, "Caroline loved her family, holidays, her two dogs and her pet hedgehog. These are the things that children should be thinking about. Not radiation and chemotherapy and having to fight for their lives. This little girl shared more love and happiness with others than most can say they have in a lifetime. Her memory continues to be an inspiration to me and many others who are working so hard to spread awareness, raise funds, and support the life saving research endeavors to help children like sweet Caroline."

In addition to Caroline's story, other participants, like Aliyah Conley, also were inspired by their own personal experiences to participate. Conley explained, "Cancer seems to be everywhere these days. A few years ago my grandmother passed away from cancer after I had only had the chance to meet her twice. It was difficult to communicate with her because she's Japanese and I always hoped I could have more time to learn the language and really talk to her. More recently, my good friend's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through treatment, She was the picture of perfect health and it was scary to think that it could happen to anyone. I cannot even begin to imagine what it's like for my friend and I admire her strength and poise throughout everything."

Conley's older sister suggested the event to Conley earlier this year. She had gone through cycles of growing her hair long then cutting it short to donate it for years, but it had been 2 years since her last haircut and she was ready to donate again. Conley thought, "Why not? My hair will grow back. I can give something that isn't necessarily serving me in any way to someone who really wants it and in a year or two my hair will be back."

Conley explained that while the thought of shaving her head was exciting and scary, she felt it was going to be a humbling experience. While her parents were supportive, her aunt and grandmother were not thrilled with the idea, but that didn't stop her. "I know this is something that I want to do," she said. "It's incomprehensible to to me how much strength human beings have. This is, I believe, a terrible way of pushing someone to the limit and making them evaluate life and what's important."

When asked what she would say to a person fighting cancer, Conley answered, "Cancer doesn't define you. And your hair sure as hell doesn't define you."

Conley campaign to shave her head raised $1,400 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which was over her $500 goal. After the shave, she said her new haircut was strange and slightly chilly from the new breeze brushing against her bare head, but she loved it. She can't wait to rock the short, pixie haircut within the next few months.

This year was the 4th year UT has held, "Brave the Shave." Not including this year, the event has raised $170,000 for pediatric cancer research. Out of the 156 participants, over 55 girls were signed up to shave their head for the event. While the bald look is not something typical for anyone, it's especially not typical for girls. The amount of strength and poise that girls like Aliyah Conley demonstrate is incredible and is exactly what Greek life is all about.