Milton woman raises more than $3,000 for Cancer Crush
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By BETH ZUMWALT
Submitted photo
After the buzzing ceremony, Leanne McConnell was all smiles as she showed off her new looks. She said her family and friends have been very supportive of her decision to become a Buzzee. Her grandson Patrick, 3, was a little apprehensive at first, but granddaughter, Anna, appeared not to notice her grandmother’s new look.
Submitted photo
Before becoming a Buzzee, Leanne McConnell of Milton, held a picture of her late mother-in -law Judy McConnell, who died of cancer in 2005. Judy McConnell was a big part of the reason Leanne decided to shave her hair.
Leann McConnell crushed her goal of $1,500 by raising $3,351 for The Quincy Foundation’s Crush Cancer event.
Because of her effort, McConnell got to become a “Buzzee,” a person who gets their hair shaved just like so many cancer patients. She and six other Buzzees participated in the event, three men and four women, including McConnell.
“I did it for my mother-in-law,” McConnell said. “She was the same age I am now when she was diagnosed.”
Judy McConnell battled her cancer with everything she had, according to McConnell. She died in 2005.
“I remember her hair was coming out in clumps and she called me and asked if I’d buzz her head,” McConnell said. “I said I would and she came over and right there in my kitchen, I shaved her head. She had thick dark hair and she was very proud of it. She cried, I cried. It’s something that has stuck with me.”
There have been other cancer victims in the McConnell family. LeAnn’s husband, Kent, lost his grandfather, an uncle and a cousin. Many others have had the disease and conquered it.
“Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way,” McConnell said. “We all know someone who has fought through the battle with cancer.”
McConnell said the community support for her endeavor was tremendous. As far as she knows she is the first Pike County person to become a Buzzee.
“People from all over donated when they found out I was doing this,” she said. “I can’t thank everyone for their support enough.”
Even though her inspiration was her mother-in-law, McConnell said the tribute paid homage to Anita Phillips, her mother, who died last August.
“She didn’t die of cancer, but she and I went to Old Monroe together, once a month, to get our hair done,” said McConnell. “So when I think of hair, I think of her.”
McConnell said there were seven Buzzees at the Friday, April 7, event, held at the Ambiance in Quincy. Her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law accompanied her.
“My three -year- old grandson was a little apprehensive when he first saw me,” McConnell said. “My two- year-granddaughter just ran up, sat on my lap and never said a word.”
McConnell said in addition to her family and friends’ support, she received a lot from her place of employment, Quincy Medical Group.
“We added the oncology group there in 2009,” she said. “Every day I see people who are going through this struggle. It’s physically, emotionally and financially draining.”
The Crush Cancer event is closed, but the Quincy Foundation is always taking donations to help cancer victims and their families.
Anyone can donate to the QMG Foundation Oncology Patient Assistance Fund any time of year. Cancer Crush specifically raises money during the event for this particular fund, which exists to alleviate financial stress on those that have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis,” Morgan Parker, coordinator of the event for the Quincy Foundation said. “We help local individuals and families with basic living expenses so the patient can focus on treatment.”
To donate donors can visit: https://quincymedgroup.com/foundation/
On the home page we have a donor box and the fund line is called Oncology Patient Assistance Fund
