There was much a-“Do” about nothing (in the way of hair)—as four locals dared to bare their scalps last week, donating their silky locks to charity and raising money for cancer research.
On June 14, Chelsea Lachowich, Lori Lemay, and brothers Gavin and Arden Kozakevich all had their long hair shaved off as part of the Great Canadian Hair “Do”, a Terry Fox Foundation fundraiser. At last count, they’d raised $8,670.
Last Thursday, the front lobby of the William J. Cadzow Health Centre was full of family and friends, who gathered to watch volunteers Danielle Bouchard and Kristen Flynn from Kut-N-Kurl buzz the four brave souls. Gavin and Arden were first. Arden, a local Grade 1 student sporting shoulder-length shag, had spent the last 18 months haircut-free in preparation for the event.
Together, he and Grade 5 Student Gavin—whose do was more of a classic Bieber sweep—raised $3,400. The brothers recently lost a grandmother to cancer a year and a half ago, a major motivator in their fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation.
“It feels good,” a grinning Gavin told the Post, rubbing his newly-bald pate. “We’re helping people that have cancer.”
Next in the barber’s chair was Lori Lemay. This wasn’t the first time she’d been buzzed, having spent time in the military, but she still looked with shock as they handed her a braided ponytail—a ponytail that had been attached to her head just seconds before. Lemay raised $915 in pledges, and said her main motivation was to donate her locks to Angel Hair for Kids, a charity group that makes wigs for children who’ve lost their hair.
“I decided my hair can better benefit those kids who can’t grow hair, to help build their self-esteem,” Lemay said, still holding her braided ponytail. “I’m definitely going to do it again—but I’m going to have to wait a couple of years before my hair is long enough.”
This year’s most prolific Hair “Do”-er was Lachowich, who lost her hip-length auburn tresses. Although she thought she might be in tears to lose her hair, instead Lachowich beamed proudly and said “I did it!” after they cut off her braid. For sacrificing her mane—which was 17 and a half inches long, braided—she raised $4,049.
“My hair has always been long, so this is literally a weight off my shoulders,” a beaming Lachowich said as smiling friends walked up to rub her new Buddha-like dome. “I’d wanted to do this for years, and I decided that this was my year. As it was getting closer, I thought I would cry—but I was so happy I did it.”
Local Hair “Do” event organizer Ramona Slade said this year’s total managed to surpass last year’s impressive final tally of $5,000.
“It was very successful,” Slade said. “It’s not easy to ask people for money. But thanks to the hard work of these brave people and the great community support, I think this year is one of our strongest years for this fundraiser.”
Slade said that she’ll still be accepting donations for the next week or so. If you’re interested in donating, call Slade at the William J. Cadzow Health Centre, 780-623-4404.
