Yesterday, Zumasys employees Ray Gasser and Dave McCary participated in the NetApp sponsored St. Baldricks head-shaving event to help fight childhood cancer. By the end of the night, the Zumasys team raised over $10,000—nearly 20% of the event’s total. We are especially proud to report that our own Ray Gasser was the 2nd highest fundraiser for the entire event here in Orange County.
This year, St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events across the country have already raised more than $16,670,698 to fund childhood cancer research grants. Since 2005, the organization has raised a total of more than $103,450,166.
For more information about St. Baldricks, visit www.stbaldricks.org
I wanted a mohawk. Of all the wild haircuts I had as a teenager, I never had a hawk. And now that I’m a white-collar guy, I figured I missed my chance. But then St. Baldrick’s came along. I raise money, it goes to fighting children’s cancer…AND I get a mohawk. I can go on a business meeting and totally get away with it. Score, right?!
Among my co-workers, family, and friends I raised $2,200, and then I headed to NetApp’ St. Baldrick’s event ready to rock. I climbed up in the chair for my shave, and Todd Palmer, VP of Americas channels at NetApp, asked: “How much for a double hawk?”
It was the moment of truth. How much was I willing to commit? What was I really there for? How important was looking cool when eliminating children’s cancer was on the line?
The crowd threw down, and we raised another $1,800. So this morning, as I walk through the airport—watching as everyone tries to pretend they’re not staring—on my way to meet a customer and looking like the boss from Dilbert, I have only one thing left to say:
Take a look at my $4,000 haircut and go pound sand, Cancer!
Rock on,
Dave
It was great to be able to participate in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser that NetApp sponsored last night. We had a great time, and raised a lot of money for a good cause. It was a little scary, wondering what I was really going to look like without hair (a look I haven’t had since I was born!), but looking at the bigger picture and knowing what the kids we can help have to endure, I realized that it was the least I could do. Dave going double-mohawk also smoothed the path a bit. (You rock, Dave!)
I was extremely gratified (maybe thrilled is a better word) by the support and donations that came through from my friends and customers. The response was so great that I had to up my goal four times, taking it from $2,000 to $6,000. So far I’ve raised $5,901—and donations are still coming in!
I want to see half a dozen Zumasys employees up there next year…men and women!
-Ray