Inspired by the patients he treats, Dr. Alex Niu is joining Bald for Bucks alongside the Buffalo Sabres.
Alex Niu, MD, sees a lot in his role as a physician and assistant professor of oncology on the lymphoma team at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. He’s both in the field, working directly with patients to administer treatments (including innovative new treatments like CAR T-cell therapy), and performs research, moving the needle on what’s possible to bring about better, more effective cancer treatments. As a physician, Dr. Niu witnesses what patients go through when they lose their hair on their cancer journey — but he also recognizes the restorative hope that comes with the research he does. It’s for that reason that he’s compelled to take his support of the cancer cause to the next level.
From Physician to Fundraiser: Why Dr. Niu’s Going Bald for Bucks
Dr. Niu has decided to stand in solidarity with the patients he serves through Bald for Bucks. On Saturday, March 28, Dr. Niu will be joining Marty Biron and Dan Dunleavy of the Buffalo Sabres in shaving his head on live TV to raise funds for cancer research.
This is especially exciting considering Dr. Niu has been growing his hair out for two years and has seen it grow well past his shoulders. When his hair got to a certain length, he decided it was time to donate it.
“I’m in a unique position where I treat patients, and that treatment is the reason why a lot of patients don’t have hair. Whenever they get a wig, you can see it gives them back that little sense of who they are. So I said, ‘All right, I can do that. Let’s donate my hair,’” Dr. Niu said. “And when I heard that there was even the possibility of partnering with the Buffalo Sabres, that just sealed the deal.”
Not only is Dr. Niu shaving his head and donating his ponytail, he’s also raising critical funds for cancer research — the very kind of research that he is dedicated to advancing.
"A few of my projects are funded by donors, and so are my colleagues’. Now, with Bald for Bucks, I can actually donate to and create funds for our research. And it's just that much cooler because research takes a lot of money and it takes a lot of time, so to be on both ends of it is really exciting to see.”
Inside the Research Dr. Niu Is Fighting For
When he’s not treating patients, Dr. Niu studies better ways to diagnose, evaluate and treat lymphoma patients, hoping to one day find a full cure. For now, his team is working to enhance both frontline treatments and secondary treatment options for when cancer recurs. Much of this research involves CAR T-cell therapy, a promising field that uses a patient’s own immune T cells to fight back against cancer. Where past treatments offered a 20–30% success rate for treating lymphoma, CAR T-cell therapy is now 60% effective.
“That’s leaps and bounds better,” Dr. Niu says, “but that’s still not good enough. Sixty percent is not 100%, which is what we’re aiming for … So now the future is saying, okay, we have CAR T-cell therapy; we know this treatment works. What else can we add to it? What other medicines in our toolbox have been around for a long time that work well? What can we pair together that will then drive that 60% up to 80%, to 90%?”
This work is made possible with the support of Bald for Bucks fundraisers and their donors.
“Donor funds are a big part of what drives our research. And I think especially in this kind of landscape where national funding has really taken a toll and affected organizations … we're focusing on donor funds, local funds and things like that to really help drive our research. Research is expensive, and these funds help us get to that next step.”
Teaming Up With the Buffalo Sabres to Fight Cancer
When it comes to teaming up with the Buffalo Sabres, Dr. Niu says it’s an experience he’ll never forget — and one he thinks his patients will appreciate. He’ll be joined by his wife and two kids for the big transformation.
Tune in to MSG on Saturday, March 28, to watch Dr. Niu shave his head alongside Marty and Dan, and donate today to secure your one-of-a-kind Bald for Bucks and Sabres T-shirt. All donations of $50 or more are eligible.