A UF student is putting a twist on fundraising by donating half the proceeds from her at-home hair business to fund breast cancer research.
This month, Victoria Esiobu, a 20-year-old UF health education and behavior junior, is holding a campaign she’s dubbed the Do Your Hair, Be Aware fundraiser.
“I realize that women love to get their hair done, and a lot of women that have breast cancer lose their hair,” Esiobu said. “So we might as well get our hair done for a cause.”
Esiobu said since she began the fundraiser Oct. 1, she’s received a high number of customers seeking to get their hair done.
If it goes well, she will continue to raise money for other awareness causes throughout the year such as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, she said.
She specializes in African-American hairstyles, such as braids and extensions. Her prices range from $30 to $90, depending on the hairstyle, she said.
Esiobu began her business during high school when she started doing her classmates’ hair and charging fees. Once she moved to Gainesville, she gained clientele through referrals from friends.
Chelsea Ogugua, a 19-year-old UF sociology sophomore, said she’s had her hair done by Esiobu multiple times. Ogugua said Esiobu is great at accommodating her clients’ schedules.
When she found out Esiobu was donating proceeds to breast cancer research, she immediately wanted to help.
Although Esiobu has no family members who have been affected by breast cancer, she said she’s done a lot of research about the disease. She’s also active in Women of Respect, Achievement, Perseverance and Service, a UF organization that’s encouraging its members to implement creative ideas to raise money for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Camila Camargo, a 19-year-old UF pre-nursing sophomore and an executive-board member for the organization, said it hopes to raise a minimum of $250 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, which it will be participating in downtown on Saturday.
Each committee within the organization has created a fundraising project and will compete with one another to raise the most money. The committee that raises the most money will receive a prize.
For example, Camargo said the public relations committee members will be holding an event on Turlington Plaza. They will distribute pink balloons with breast cancer-related sayings in exchange for donations.
Esiobu said she plans to raise $100 during her hairstyling fundraiser this month.
A version of this story ran on page 8 on 10/23/2013 under the headline "UF student fundraises for breast cancer research with style(s)"
