Freshman shaves her head on campus to honor young boy claimed by cancer

A freshman shaved her head in honor a young boy from her hometown. Paul Matthews shaved his son Eli Seth Matthew’s head, and then Eli shaved his father’s head. Yesterday, Paul Matthews stood on Liacouras

A freshman shaved her head in honor a young boy from her hometown.

Paul Matthews shaved his son Eli Seth Matthew’s head, and then Eli shaved his father’s head.

MICHAEL WOJCIK TTN | A group crowds on Liacouras Walk to watch Guerrera shed her locks.

Yesterday, Paul Matthews stood on Liacouras Walk shaving the head of a young woman he had met less than two months earlier.

Eli Seth Matthews, a 10-year-old boy from Oxford, Pa., died from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of cancer more than a year ago, in January 2011. The Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc. was founded in his Eli’s honor.

Freshman Meghan Guerrera met Paul Matthews at a sporting event in March when she bought one of the red and black wristbands Eli designed. Guerrera also grew up in Oxford, and was touched by Eli’s story and “his selfless devotion to finding a cure for childhood cancer,” according to a post on the foundation’s website.

After meeting Paul Matthews, Guerrera contacted him and told him she wanted to do something more for Eli’s cause: shave her head. She hoped, according to the post, that donations would be made to the foundation by holding the event.

MICHAEL WOJCIK TTN | Meghan Guerrera shaved her head yesterday, in honor of a young boy from her hometown.

Guerrera’s roommates, fellow cheerleaders, mother and Eli’s family gathered on the Main Campus strip across from Maxi’s.

“I can honestly say I don’t really know why I started this,” said Guerrera to the crowd, “Can we just shave my head now?!”

As Paul Matthews shared his story and the story of his son, a beautician gathered Guerrera’s long brown hair into four braids, which would be cut off with scissors. Matthews took over from there and used electric clippers to give her a buzz cut, but giving her a Mohawk first.

Her friends in the crowd commented on how she could pull off a short pixie haircut, and continued saying how gorgeous she looked as more of her hair fell to the ground. Some held signs that said reading: “Bald is beautiful!”

Guerrera brushed clippings of hair from her face and shirt, then Matthews lathered what remained of her hair with shaving cream and continued with a razor.

“In hospitals all over the world, parents are doing the same thing right now for their kids,” said Matthews, as he shaved her head.

Sarah Fleischman can be reached at sarah.fleischman@temple.edu.

4 Comments

  1. Hello,

    My name is Eric and I am the Director Of Public Relations for the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation. I want to tell everyone what a true amazing example Meghan is and she brought great awareness and raised an incredible amount of money to help cure childhood cancer. On behalf of Paul and everyone with the foundation, thanks to everyone at Temple for coming out last night and supporting Meghan and the Eli Seth Matthews Foundation. Please go to http://www.braveeli.com for more information.

    Join The Fight

  2. As a pediatric cancer specialist at Washington University in St. Louis, I’ve seen too many times the devastation and heartbreak that children’s cancer brings to our world. Many, many people are working hard to understand why these wonderful children are suddenly and inexplicably taken from us through no fault of their own and nothing they’ve done. I stand up and applaud all of the courageous and caring people out there, like Meghan, who look for any way they can help. Every bit of it counts, and stories such as these bring tremendous hope to the children and parents who spend their days in the hospital. You have no idea. Thank you Meghan! And thank you to anyone who contributed during this event. I’ve known and met Paul Matthews and had the pleasure having our genetic research supported by the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation. It’s a privilege to be associated with such dedicated and caring people. Please keep up your efforts and don’t lose hope.

  3. Megan what a beautiful person that you are..I am so proud to say that your my great niece and you are an amazing person..god Bless you and Eli..Please find a cure!!!

  4. If you missed this AMAZING event you can now watch part of it on YouTube. Please donate to carry out Eli’s wishes to find a cure for Childhood Cancer.

    Meghan Guerrera gets her head shaved to raise money for The Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc. at Temple University May 1, 2012. Thanks for your support in this fight, Meghan.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMAmqNfggGs

    If you wish to donate, the address is as follows:
    Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc.
    PO BOX# 33
    Oxford, Pa 19363
    We will mail you a receipt if requested, to claim on
    your taxes. Just include a self addressed stamped envelope.

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