Lynn man grows out beard for Bruins, charity

LYNN – Solimine funeral director Brian Field is a sharp-dressed man.But there?s a little something different about the way he looks this week. Field is sporting an extra long beard.Field is participating in the Boston Bruins Beard-a-thon. Participants grow a beard and have others donate money to them. The money raised goes to the nonprofit organization One Mission, which helps pediatric cancer patients and their families.Field heard about the event this past Thursday and immediately knew it was something he wanted to be a part of. While it was helping a good cause, there was a personal reason why he wanted to take part.In 1997, Field?s childhood friend, Matt Rex, died after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of pediatric cancer.Recently, on the way back home from vacation in Disney World, Field was reminded of a certain conversation he had with Rex before his death.Rex had asked Field what he wishes for. Field responded with a desire to finally see Disney World and then proceeded to ask his childhood friend the same thing.?I wish there was a cure for cancer,” said Rex.?It was on that flight home that I thought about my conversation with Matt,” said Field. “My wish had finally come true. It was now time for Matt?s wish to come true too.”That was when he decided to sign up for the Beard-A-Thon.?Matt taught me more in those 15 minutes than some have taught me in a lifetime,” said Field.Field?s goal was to raise $1,000 in one week, but he has already surpassed that goal.To date, he has raised a total of $1,320 dollars.?It is great that I have so much support,” said Field.The Bruins fan credits the social networking site of Facebook for much of his success. “I keep posting about it,” said Field. “I have been kind of a pain. I have great support on there.”On Tuesday, Field was the website?s Beard of the Day. He is also in 11th place in the race donate the most money.Growing the beard this long has been interesting for Field. “It has been rather itchy,” jokes Field. “It was kind of hot in Disney World.”Field is a diehard Bruins fan and has grown out his beard before for the B?s when they were in the playoffs. However, due to the Bruins success the beard has gotten longer than ever before. “I am usually clean shaven,” said Field. “I have never grown it this long before.”Reaction to his new look from family and friends has been amusing, Field said. “They don?t like the beard. They think it is funny,” he said. “They know it is for a good cause, though.”Field plans on keeping the beard until the Stanley Cup is over. “It is a great way to have fun,” said Field. “It is all for a good cause.”To help Field raise even more money, use this link to go his page on the Bruins Beard-A-Thon website: http://www.beardathon.com/bruins/brianfromlynn/profile.aspx