5th Annual Cuts for Cancer Event

5th Annual Cuts for Cancer Event Raises $3,000!

for children fighting cancer in South Carolina and their families

Contact:

Samantha Higgins, Children's Chance

803-254-5996

Michelle Richardson, Kenneth Shuler

803-772-6098

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Columbia, SC: March 24, 2009- Children’s Chance and their mascot Zig the Pig teamed up with Kenneth Shuler’s School of Cosmetology once again to hold the 5th Annual Cuts for Cancer! Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology located at 449 St. Andrews Road opened its doors on Sunday, March 22^nd from 2:00-5:00 pm and Monday, March 23^rd from 10:30am-5:00pm to give $5.00 hair cuts and a variety of other services all to help children battling cancer in South Carolina! Zig the Pig made a special appearance along with a local girl scout troop at Sunday’s event to greet customers and help raise awareness of pediatric cancer. The 5^th Annual Cuts for Cancer event was a huge success with over 250 people attending, raising approximately $3,000 for Children’s Chance. The event raised around $1,500 and Mr. Shuler, owner of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, graciously matched the amount dollar for dollar.

Organizer, and creator of the event, Michelle Richardson, a West Columbia resident, knows first hand the impact of pediatric cancer. Michelle is an instructor at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and is best friends with DeeAnn Jones, Executive Director of Children’s Chance and mother to Stefen who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2002. Michelle explains, “When Stefen was diagnosed with leukemia, we knew we needed to do something to get involved. Now we have completed five years of the annual Cuts for Cancer event, and raised a total of over $12,000 to help these families. We hope Cuts for Cancer will continue to grow each year and help kids like Stefen who are battling cancer right here in South Carolina.” Stefen is now in remission and doing well. Because of people like Michelle, Children’s Chance and Zig the Pig are able to help families like Stefen’s as they go through cancer treatment and hopefully onto recovery.

Samantha Higgins, Public Relations Director of Children’s Chance states, “We are really grateful for Kenneth Shuler’s support as well as the local community, to help raise money and awareness for children battling cancer right here in the Palmetto State! We appreciate the school’s contribution to our organization, and commend everyone for coming out and showing their support. Just from the $5.00 donations, Children’s Chance is able to give families hope as their child fights cancer!”

Founded in 1996, Children’s Chance is the only statewide non profit organization that is dedicated to providing children facing cancer and their families with non-medical financial, emotional, and, psychological support. Proceeds from “Cuts for Cancer” funds a variety of programs including art therapy, counseling, special events, Discretionary funds which help families pay non medical bills such as mortgage or electric payments, and Angel Funds which provide families with small out of pocket expenses to make their trips to the clinic a little easier, such as gas or food cards.

For more information about the Annual “Cuts for Cancer” or Children’s Chance, please contact (803) 254-5996 or visit us online at: www.childrenschance.org or www.zigthepig.org .