Central Georgia Technical College’s Cosmetology program is making a call to all superheroes, not the comic-crusaders who fight nefarious crime lords, but ones with similar guile willing to take on an even more vile nemesis; pediatric cancer.

The Cosmetology program will host a bake-sale fundraiser from 11 to 1 pm., on September 21 on the CGTC Warner Robins, Macon and Milledgeville campuses. The fundraiser benefits Keris Kares, a Georgia non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families dealing with pediatric cancer.

The event, which encourages participants to dress-up like their favorite superhero, will include a cake walk, a DJ, games and free face-painting for kids in the Child Development Centers, in addition to the food items for sale.   

Shalah Scott, instructor of cosmetology, has been relaying the importance of this cause to her students since the beginning of the semester. They have spent time promoting it on social media and selling Keris Kares bracelets to clients. But now, Scott is concentrating her efforts on securing non-cosmetology student support.

“Not only does it raise awareness for them (non-cosmetology students), but it shows that they can give back to the community too,” Scott said, “I think it’s very important all students learn that it’s not all about us. It’s about everybody.”

Each fall semester, the Cosmetology program sponsors various fundraisers and activities to raise awareness for cancer research. Jolie Martin, instructor of cosmetology, said, to date, the department has raised more than $15,000 for local breast cancer charities. September is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness month, so the charity for this year seemed a natural fit.

“We have chosen to work with Keris Kares to get involved with a local foundation, and we wanted to work with a pediatric cancer foundation this year,” Martin said.

The cosmetology department change to raise funds for Keris Kares and pediatric cancer is in support of Jackie Knight, a long-standing client of the department and grandmother to Keris Bembry, for whom the foundation is named.

For more information about Keris Kares visit, http://www.keriskares.org/.