JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The members of a fraternity at the University of North Florida lost their hair on Thursday for a very good cause.

For the second year in a row, Delta Upsilon held a Shave-a-Thon. The event benefits the American Cancer Society through fundraising and awareness.

At first glance the event may look like hazing -- a group of fraternity brothers taking turns at shaving each other's head. However, buzz cuts were about more than that.

"All the members of the fraternity shave their head, no excuses, and they give sue money to do it," said UNF student Tom Branning.

When two former UNF students were diagnosed with cancer, their Delta Upsilon fraternity brothers felt more than remorse. They said they had never witnessed a friend suffer from cancer, and the experience made them want to do something.

Last year, the fraternity started a Shave- A-Thon. They shave their heads, and people donate money to the American Cancer Society.

"When we first said we were going to do it, they were like, 'You don't have to do that for us. We don't need you to do that,' but we said, 'We're not only doing it for you, we're doing it for everyone else with cancer and for everyone else who has to go through what you did,'" UNF student Joe Husky said.

They said the event is a way to donate and sympathize with cancer patients, many of whom loose their hair.

The attention-getting event drew a crowd of on-lookers and participants.

One student had been growing out his beard for four months leading up to the Shave-A-Thon. Other students cheered him on as his locks of hair fell to the ground.

"Last year, we had a lot of students at UNF shave their heads too, and girls were cutting off their hair to donate to Locks of Love," Branning said.

He said the former students who were diagnosed with cancer are doing well.

"One, I believe is in remission, and the other one is cured," Branning said.

Last year, the fraternity raised nearly $2,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society. They said they hope this year they'll top that.