Do a Fundraiser

GI Doctors Go Shiny to Save a Hiney

Through a creative competition between a few Virginia gastroenterologists during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in 2011, Gastroenterology Associates, PC (GAPC) raised over $4,000.

Starting at the beginning of March, five male physicians at GAPC were voted into a competition in which the winner’s head would be shaved. Patients, nurses, doctors, and staff voted for who they would like to “go shiny” by placing cash, checks, and coins in small buckets set up in the GAPC’s three offices in Manassas, Gainesville and Warrenton, Virginia. Five collection buckets were also set up at Prince William Hospital in the medical staff office and physician lounge. The total money generated for each doctor was tallied weekly and the last week the donation amounts were kept secret by office staff.

In the end, Dr. Choi brought in the most money, with over $1,200 in his canister! Dr. Choi “went shiny” on March 29 during an office celebration. A local barber shop, Famous American Barber Shop II, provided a barber to cut off his locks.

The fundraiser had several national and local media plugs including articles in EndoNurse, Outpatient Surgery, CRH Hemorrhoid Banding Newsletter and both the Fauquier and Prince William Hospital newsletters. A national Korean American newspaper was also on hand to document the event.

The total money raised in the cans was $2,000. Gastroenterology Associates, PC is matching the monies, making the grand total over $4,000. Throughout this event, several hospital staff also pledged to get screened for colon cancer and multiple patients pledged to raise awareness by talking to their own family and friends. Visit www.doctorgi.com for more photos.

GAPC plans to recreate the event next year and hopes to raise even more money and awareness for the Colon Cancer Alliance.

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