Boehman 'going Chia' to raise money for tumor research

On a normal day, Richmond College Dean Joe Boehman's morning routine includes shaving his head. But for this month, Boehman has decided to put down the razor.

Boehman is participating in No-Shave November to raise money for the National Brain Tumor Society, which works to raise money for brain tumor research and to provide patient services and resources for patients, families, caregivers, researchers and medical professionals, according to the organization's Web site.

No-Shave November encourages men and women to raise money by not shaving a part of their bodies that they usually do for a month, but Boehman has a much simpler description.

"I decided the easiest way to explain it was to say I'm 'going Chia,'" Boehman said, referencing Chia Pets, clay animals that sprout chia plants to look like fur.

Boehman said he had decided to participate in the fundraiser because he wanted to raise money and awareness for brain tumors. In a flier he distributed explaining the fundraiser, Boehman pointed out that more than 190,000 Americans would be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year.

But the cause is also personal. Boehman said he had several friends that had had loved ones with brain tumors, and a good friend whose spouse had died of a brain tumor last year.

Boehman said he had first learned of No-Shave November last year, when Richmond staff members Jason Titus and Andy Gurka participated in the project. No-Shave November is a national movement, and Boehman said the national group selected a different cause to support each year. This year's national cause is Darfur, but Boehman decided to borrow the national idea for a cause that was closer to his heart.

Despite his devotion to the cause, not shaving has been difficult, Boehman said.

"I have to consciously remind myself not to shave," said Boehman, who said he had been shaving his head for six or seven years. "I'm afraid I'm just going to wake up one morning and do it without thinking."

Having hair may take some getting used to, but Boehman said it would be worth it for the money he would raise. Initially, his goal was to raise $1,000 but he has already exceeded that goal, raising more than $1,300 in pledges, he said. Boehman said he hoped to continue fundraising until Dec. 1.

People that want to pledge money can e-mail chiadean@mail.com with their pledges. He will not collect the money until December.

Boehman said he had set up several ways students and others could follow his transformation during the month. He has set up a UR groups page, and will also post comments on the Richmond College blog.

Additionally, a Facebook group called "Joe Boehman becomes 'Chia Dean' for the National Brain Tumor Society" has been created. By joining the group, students can read updates from Boehman and see pictures of his progress, which he said would be posted every Friday afternoon. People that pledge to donate will receive an e-mail every time new pictures are available.

Boehman said he was pleased with the number of people that had joined the groups and pledged money, but that there was one important person in his life that was not so supportive of the change.

"The one that has the most issue with it is my 6-year-old," he said. "She keeps rubbing my head like she's not sure if she likes it. She's never seen me with hair before, so this will be a new adventure for her."

Boehman said he expected that his hair would be an inch or two long by the end of the month, but that he wasn't expecting to love his new look.

"I might not shave it off the first day," he said, "but I'd expect that by the end of the first weekend in December I'm going to be back to my old self."

Contact staff writer Emily Baltz at emily.baltz@richmond.edu