Our next story is about a cancer awareness effort that started in the classroom - but that doesn't mean it came out of any textbook. Well-known UB lecturer Dr. Silvaana Udz was teaching her Communication Skills class about getting their message across when she came upon a most effective form of non-verbal communication, one which said more than words ever could.
It was Kim Barrow's bald head - a fearless statement about living with, and through cancer.
It was a lesson not only in communication, but in humanity - and one not only to learn by, but to emulate.
And so, Dr. Udz decided to enlist classmates and members of the public and get them to shave their heads - in solidarity with breast cancer victims and survivors.
It came off as a dramatic public awareness statement - and we witnessed it today at the UB Faculty of Education where the classroom was turned into a real life laboratory of human behavior.
Here's more...
Ivorine Bulwer
"This initiative is in keeping with the World Cancer Day 2012 theme "Together it is Possible" because it is only by every person, organization, government individually doing their parts that the world will be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other non-communicable disease by 25% by the year 2025."
Jules Vasquez reporting
It is a powerful public health initiative, led by the Prime Minister's Wife:
Ivorine Bulwer
"The Special Envoy for Women Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, your effort to go bald and to show the baldness. It is a powerful signal to those who are affected by cancer."
And today her bold decision to go bald look received a resounding endorsement from these women who shaved off their tresses.
Kim Simplis-Barrow, Breast Cancer survivor
"Bold, brave, wow, awesome are the words that I heard when the news spread of admiration. This initiative by Silvaana and the UB students have brought such great awareness and empowerment to women. "
"They say I'm an inspiration, but really, you all, the ones who are doing the balding are inspiring so many people."
Empowerment and also public therapy for women fighting cancer - this testimonial of one woman facing a mastectomy.
Dr. Silvaana Udz, Lecturer, Communication Skills
"I know someone wants to have a mastectomy and she is deathly afraid of doing it because of her husband's reaction. Not because of the pain but because her husband won't love her anymore. How can that be! We must stop this discrimination against looks. It's just not right. We are beautiful, and if we have to lose our breast…. and this lady doesn't want to choose reconstructive surgery either."
"She is an elderly and she is going to lose her husband and so in her mind she says 'should I lose my breast or her husband?' and she was told by a wonderful woman from the cancer society "lady, lose your husband, don't lose your life."
Indeed there were more than a few emotional moments - and it seemed each led to another - including this big reveal from Sister Mary Caritas, a kidney cancer survivor:
Sister Mary Caritas, a kidney cancer survivor
"I lost my hair at that time; most of it. But I didn't have any courage like Mrs. Barrow to go bald and to walk bald and I still don't have that courage. I do have family that tells me please don't go bald. So I wear a wig, I've been wearing one since 1997. Some of my friends know but it's still not something public. But I will take off the wig and I will let them cut off the rest."
Indeed, this was strong medicine and it provoked a strong reaction - a shared bond for these fellow travelers down the road to recovery
Sister Mary Caritas, a kidney cancer survivor
"I'm okay. I've thought about it and I am okay."
And with that Sister Caritas went under the blade
Dr. Silvaana Udz, Lecturer, Communication Skills
"After hearing Mrs. Kim, and seeing this, lovely lady Sister Caritas came up to us and said "I need to share my story and I need to go bald, I need to let people know that I support this." What better support is that? What better non-verbal support as well as her owned verbal sharing? That just says it all."
"This man, Jim Scott from Radisson walked in; Dana Perriot also walked in yesterday, so it's just beyond expectations."
So with their new looks - these women become part of a wider awareness movement.
Felinda Lauture, Shaved Head In Solidarity
"Actually I feel great. I am waiting for it to grow back and it will look very nice. The bald look takes me."
And so it's become a new look, style with a socially redeeming value - and most of all a message.
Kim Simplis-Barrow, Breast Cancer survivor
"I'm begging you; you don't have to have a symptom. You just need to get checked regularly."
"I am so proud of Silvaana and all the students who are doing this. It's an amazing feeling really and it just goes to show how awareness can really be very instrumental in people's lives."
Those not quite bold enough to shave their heads were encouraged to put in a pink streak in their hair - which is being facilitated by Jonze unisex salon.
And while the show of support has been overwhelming - it comes at a critical time for Kim Barrow. She's about to leave to Miami to get surgery for her breast cancer - after which she'll have to continue Chemotherapy treatment. Today, she told us about tough days ahead:..
Kim Simplis-Barrow, Breast Cancer survivor
I feel good; every day is better now. I'm getting ready now for my surgery and then after the surgery I still have radiation for 6 weeks. So it's a long journey, but I am staying positive. My message really is "Get Tested" it's so very important to get tested and to be vigilant of your health."
Barrow and the Prime Minister are expected to leave this weekend.
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