Karla Sorto
The Quiet Hairgrowing Communi-team plans to raise cancer awareness and fundraising money at Pierce College by selling Arbonne International products every Monday in May, from which all profits will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
Arbonne products are botanically based products that are made with natural ingredients.
It is a vegan, company-approved product which uses no animal ingredients.
Consisting of 35 people, the Quiet Hairgrowing Communi-team is a group who dedicates their time to raising money for cancer patients.
Sheryl Buhr-Sanchez, team development chair and Quiet Hairgrowing Communi-team captain, created the team four years ago.
“I named it the Quiet Hairgrowing Communi-team because I make hats for cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy,” Buhr-Sanchez said. “The hats are a form of motivational humor for those patients.”
Buhr-Sanchez was inspired to make the motivational hats for recently diagnosed cancer patients and for those whose hair was starting to grow.
The fundraiser will also serve to introduce Arbonne skin products, which can only be purchased online or by catalog.
“I am very passionate about these products. Everyone who cares about their body should try them,” said Independent Arbonne Consultant Elizabeth Tholberg. “Arbonne has something for everybody, like makeup, vitamins, muscle pain and baby products.”
Tholberg is hoping to reach her $1,000 fundraising goal.
“I’m hoping to kick some major fundraising butt and get my product known,” Tholberg said.
The team also wants to motivate students and faculty to join the Burbank Relay for Life.
“It’s amazing how so many people don’t know that the American Cancer Society isn’t only based on research,” Buhr-Sanchez said. “Only about 30 percent is research and 70 percent is to help cancer patients.”
Amanda Snelling, an 18-year-old high school student, was diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 15.
“I was frightened not knowing what would come,” Snelling said. “It thrills me to know that an organization like the American Cancer Society is able to help those who are going through what I went through.”
Julie Buhr-Martin has been involved with the Relay for more than four years.
She is a brain cancer survivor who believes that the American Cancer Society is a great way for friends and family to contribute to cancer prevention.
“I love the American Cancer Society. They are truly magnificent,” Buhr-Martin said. “They benefit all types of cancer and supply the best support.”
Buhr-Martin believes that through the American Cancer Society, people can support their loved ones who are fighting cancer. When she was sick, her friends and family felt helpless and by participating in Relays for Life, they were given a way to feel they were fighting on her behalf.
“I believe that when we are raising more funds to find cures for cancer, we are not only benefiting ourselves,” said Buhr-Martin, “but we are also providing hope and support for generations to come.”
Most of the people who join the Relays for Life are people who have had a close encounter with cancer or have witness a loved one going through it.
More information on the Relay for Life or Quiet Hair Growing is available at events.cancer.org/RFLBurbankCA or quiethairgrowing.com.