— A promise made is a promise kept — at least for Joyce Rollins. She promised she would shave her head if her team, Team R2C2, from Raleigh Regional Cancer Center in Beckley, raised more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Raleigh County.

The team raised just over $20,000. Rollins’ husband, Rick, a cancer survivor himself, cut her ponytail, then she allowed her co-workers, two of whom are also cancer survivors, to complete the honors.

Rollins has worked at Raleigh Regional Cancer Center for more than two years. In that time, she has become friends with many of the cancer patients.

“I have several other family members and friends that are fighting, or have fought, the battle with cancer,” she said.

“There are not many people who don’t know someone that has, or has had, cancer,” Rollins said.

“Cancer knows no age. We have a family friend whose son was diagnosed, at 8 months old, with liver cancer.

“One patient, who was at Relay, said she admired me for being so strong. I told her that I did this for a couple of reasons — for the strong patients, like her, that fight every day, in memory of those who have lost the battle, and for more cancer  awareness,” Rollins noted.

“Since shaving my head and being in the public bald, I have a new outlook, a new admiration for the patients,” Rollins emphasized. “You get looks of pity; looks from people that seem like they are hugging you with their eyes; looks like, ‘What planet did you come from?’

“You get hugs and tears, cheers and jeers. But please know that all cancer patients need love and support, and so do their caregivers, who are also fighting the battle.”

Since shaving her head, she’s had cancer patients offer her their wigs.

The trick to wearing a shaved head, at least for a woman, is lipstick and big earrings, Rollins said she’s been told.

And, patients have given her the big earrings, as well.

Raising money for the American Cancer Society provides funding for research as well as support programs that improve the lives of cancer patients, she emphasized.

“West Virginians are proud people and most don’t want handouts,” Rollins said. “The American Cancer Society just wants to be there for the support of the cancer patients and family need.”

She encourages everyone to have early screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, among other tests.

“They save lives,” she emphasized.

Rollins also encourages cancer patients, survivors and caregivers to phone the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or on the website at www.cancer.org for information and support programs.

The Raleigh Regional Cancer Center sponsors “Look Good — Feel Better” sessions to help cancer patients, especially female cancer patients, learn to care for their skin, use wigs and cosmetics, among other helpful information the second Monday of each month beginning at 10 a.m.

To register for the next session, phone 1-800-288-3618.

Other American Cancer Society programs include Hope Lodge, available to patients and caregivers actively undergoing cancer treatment on an outpatient basis away from home; I Can Cope, an educational program for people facing cancer, their friends or family caregivers; and Road to Recovery, which provides transportation to doctor visits by trained volunteers.

“This is what your relay dollars help support,” Rollins emphasized of the programs.

Rollins said the staff is always conducting fundraisers — hot dog sales, golf tournaments, among other projects — to help. When possible, they involve cancer patients and their families and friends.

They will continue fundraising efforts for the Relay For Life into August, she said.

Rollins lauded her co-workers for their hard work.

“If it hadn’t been for them, this money would not have been raised.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do next year to top this,” she said. “We’re probably looking at a tattoo or skydiving!”

— E-mail: mcbrooks@register-herald.com