Schroeder: No hair, don’t care

As a hair stylist shaved Christina Schroeder’s waist-length hair, never once did she stop smiling.

She said the moment was surreal — as if it wasn’t truly happening.

“No hair, don’t care,” Schroeder said.

Along with Schroeder, 127 participants donated their hair at Shavetober Oct. 31, an event she organized to raise awareness for pediatric brain cancer.

A total of 134 inches of hair will be donated to Locks of Love because of the event’s success.

“Something I try to live by is a quote by Ghandi that is ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world,’” Schroeder said. “I hear a lot of times that ‘You can’t change the world, you’re just one person,’ but I can change it as much as I can in my own world and everyone who is affected by me.”

The eight-hour event raised $2,582 which will be donated to the Team Jack Foundation based in Omaha, Neb.

Schroeder said it is the only national organization that dedicates itself specifically to pediatric cancer.

“Everything I think about revolves around children and how they are the most important things in the world,” she said.

Four hair stylists from Cost Cutters volunteered their time to handle the head shaving.

This was Angie Castaneda’s, area manager for Cost Cutters, first charitable event with the University of South Dakota, and  she said the turnout was great, especially among students.

Castaneda worked closely with Schroeder in planning for Shavetober.

“It’s amazing she had everything organized,” Casteneda said. “I did not know she was shaving her head until I got here, and I was the one who was honored — who shaved her.”

The inspiration for the event that has been three years in the making came from Jack Hoffman himself, who is the cousin of Schroeder’s best friend.

“It’s so cool (Schroeder) is so giving and is willing to do this,” Alison Hoffman said. “She is the most loving, caring, special person I have ever met.”

Hoffman, who is a nursing student at Mount Marty College and also a cadet with USD’s ROTC program, arrived moments before Schroeder’s head was shaved.

“I was just shaking, because it was so special that she was actually going through with it,” Hoffman said. “It’s just awesome that she is able to do this, and is such a strong person to put on an event like this mostly by herself.”

Schroeder’s mother, Cindy Schroeder, attended the event in support, along with several other family members. Cindy Schroeder said there was some sadness seeing her daughter’s hair go, but said she was very proud.

“She will do good in the world no matter what she does,” Cindy Schroeder said. “She is kind, concerned, happy — whatever positive words you can think of.”