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A cut above: Bucs raise $130,000 for pediatric cancer research

Annual "Cut for a Cure" gets a boost from Bucs GM Jason Licht, who makes good on head-shaving promise.
 
Published June 4, 2018

Bucs general manager Jason Licht had promised to join in on the team's annual "Cut for a Cure" fundraiser, pledging he too would get his head shaved if the team could raise $100,000, up considerably from last year's record total of $75,000.

Bucs players and staffers raised that much and more, and a newly-shorn Licht proudly held up an oversized check for $123,000. Defensive tackle  Gerald McCoy, saying he didn't like odd numbers, took the microphone and promptly raised the total to an even $130,000.

"I just wanted to be a part of it," Licht said, noting that his own children had raised $200 with a neighborhood lemonade stand. "The organization does a great job with this every year, and I felt like I was missing out."

And while Licht's pledge got even more Bucs players and fans involved, he said there was real motivation on a more personal level. Among the children battling cancer who got to shave and color players' heads Monday afternoon was Bo Wade, 9, the son of Chad Wade, the Bucs' assistant strength and conditioning coach.

A steady of parade of Bucs players took turns getting either a full shave or red dyed into their hair: QB Jameis Winston, McCoy, LB Lavonte David, LT Donovan Smith, G Ali Marpet, TE O.J. Howard and many more.

Bucs CEO Brian Ford got his head shaved, as did director of sales Deno Anagnost, a cancer survivor who raised more than $22,000 himself. Kirsten Phillips, who convinced players to raise an extra $35,000 last year by shaving her head, was back for a red coloring.

To donate to the Bucs' campaign or learn more, visit here.