Ken Aguiar and his three sons had their heads shaved at Salon Essence in Plaza Bella to raise more than $8,000 for Pediatric Cancer.
FishHawk photographer Ken Aguiar didn’t quite realize what he was getting himself into when he volunteered his professional skills for the recent Tampa Bay Lightning Cut For A Cure Charity event for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. After being at the annual event, in which local athletes and celebrities pledge to shave their heads for charity, Aguiar found himself inspired to get involved.
After telling a friend about the program, the friend pledged $2,000 if Aguiar would shave his head. Aguiar agreed, but added, “I didn’t want to stop there, so I set my goal at raising $5,000.”
During his fundraising efforts, his three sons, Christian, Kyle and Kaden, wanted to join dad in the head shaving.
The entire Aguiar family, along with friends and neighbors headed to Salon Essence in Plaza Bella plaza on Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rd. and all got their “Cuts for a Cure.”
Plaza businesses, including Joel’s Pizza and The Original Leena’s Chocolates, donated food and samples. Family and friends joined the event. Several attendees even jumped in, got haircuts and made donations to the foundation. In addition, a raffle helped boost the Aguiar family well over its $5,000 goal, to more than $8,000.
“I’m shaving my head to help bring awareness to this awful disease that shows no mercy on the most innocent among us, our children,” explained Aguiar. “As a photographer, I have the pleasure of working with children on a daily basis. I am honoring Jessica Rose Kohut, a beautiful young girl who lost her battle to neuroblastoma at the tender age of six.” Rose was a FishHawk resident who lost her battle in 2009.
In March, 50 Tampa Bay business leaders and professional athletes, including Vinny Lecavalier, of the Tampa Bay Lightning, shaved their heads to raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorders Center at All Children’s Hospital. The event has raised more than $319,869.
Nancy Crane, executive director of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, said, “Ken has been volunteering with us for two years and he has photographed every event for us. This will help us to fund cancer research and trials.” For info, call 651-0727 or visit www.aguiarphoto.com or www.fastercure.org.
