Student grows beard to fight cancer

Senior Ryan Petrillo: “It’s amazing to wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and say ‘Just by growing this beard, I am raising money for an important cause.”

2:39 p.m., May 12, 2004--In a lagging economy, fundraising for nonprofit organizations can be a tricky enterprise. With so many worthy causes and less disposable income to go around, it can be difficult to attract attention to a particular cause, and sometimes an unusual approach is the one that works. That’s the case with UD student Ryan Petrillo, AS ’05, who isn’t wearing his heart on his sleeve; he’s wearing it on his face.

Last year, Petrillo and two friends sought a project that would be important and helpful to the community and they wanted their contribution to be different. And, that’s how Beards for Cancer was born.

“We decided, since we all love beards, that maybe we could find people to sponsor us for growing our beards for a year and then put those funds towards a specific organization,” Petrillo said. “In a way, it would be like being sponsored in a race, but since we aren’t athletic, we could grow our beards.”

The organization the trio decided to support was the American Cancer Society (ACS). Petrillo, who lost a close friend to cancer in 2001, said that each member of the group has been touched by cancer in some way. “Raising money for the ACS is something everyone can relate to and understand. We figured if we could ultimately help just one person, it was well worth it,” he said.

The project is simple. All three men pledged to grow their beards for one year, beginning Dec. 3, and in return, they actively seek sponsors who agree to donate at least one dollar for every day that the three have their beards. Petrillo said that Beards for Cancer also accepts other donations because every penny counts.

“It’s amazing to wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and say ‘Just by growing this beard, I am raising money for an important cause,” Petrillo said. “It just goes to show you that anyone can help out using any crazy ideas they might have.”

The ultimate goal of Beards For Cancer, he said, is to raise as much money as possible for the ACS and to encourage others to “carry on the fundraiser after our year of beard growing is complete.”

For more information, and to view monthly updated pictures of the three men’s beards, visit [www.beardsforcancer.com].

Article by Kevin Tressler, AS ’04
Photo by Kathy Atkinson

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