Gronk still plans to get his head buzzed

After several surgeries to repair a break and infection in his forearm, and with another due soon on his back, Rob Gronkowski still plans to go under the knife this Sunday -- or, more accurately, under the buzzers, when he shaves his head in support of children fighting pediatric cancer.

The Patriots' tight end has participated in the Kid's Cancer Buzz-Off the last two years, then committed to this year's event months ago, and organizers say he'll keep that commitment this weekend despite the fact it comes just days before Gronkowski is expected to undergo a procedure to repair a herniated disk that affected him most of last season and will likely require rehab that lasts into training camp.

Joining 867 men and women who've pledged to shave off their hair as a show of solidarity with cancer patients and a means of raising money to enhance the lives of those patients and their families, Gronkowski is expected to arrive at Gillette Stadium on Sunday morning and meet with VIPs in the Putnam Club around 10 a.m. About a half-hour later he'll have his own head buzzed, and he'll do the buzzing of top sponsors and fundraisers. Then he's expected to meet with the media.

The Buzz-Off itself runs from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with the childhood cancer fund One Mission hoping to raise $1 million for Boston Children's Hospital -- which would double the money the event has raised over its four years. Those interested in donating can sponsor a buzzee, including Gronkowski himself, or make a general donation.