Rampart High School Hosting 16th Annual Bald For Bucks Event

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — On Friday morning, Rampart High School hosted their 16th Annual Bald For Bucks fundraiser.

Hundreds of Academy District 20 students, teachers, and communities member came together to raise money, shave their heads, and cut their hair.

Each year, the school chooses a family dealing with cancer to honor. This year it was 6 year old Keenan Rodriguez and his family. Not only is Keenan this year’s hero family, but it’s also his birthday.

“It means a lot to us. It’s really cool. I’m proud of the school and everybody,” said Vanessa Ramirez, Keenan’s mom. 

In 2020, Keenan was diagnosed with Leukemia at just 3 years old.

“I was shocked, and I told her was reading the wrong labs to me,” said Ramirez.

After two years of chemotherapy and cancer treatments, Keenan went into remission more than 6 months ago.

“It was exciting that it was finally the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Ramirez. 

Students at Rampart say Keenan serves as an inspiration.

“This is an opportunity for us to give back to them for all their sacrifices and just honor what they’ve done supporting Keenan through his journey,” said Eli Bastiaansen, the Bald For Bucks student chair.

This year they’re trying to raise more than $16,000 dollars, a goal that they have already passed Friday morning. Bald for bucks raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In the last 15 years —  RHS has raised over $586,798 for LLS.

This tradition began when Ms. Sanford, a former Rampart teacher, who was diagnosed with cancer. The student body raised $6,000 dollars for her that year, and many shaved their heads.

Years later, after Ms. Sanford passed, RHS students decided to continue the assembly and start raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you want to make a donation for Rampart High School’s Bald for Bucks fundraiser, click here.