If there seems to be an inordinate number of bald-headed beauties traipsing around Squamish this week, rest assured there is no cause for concern. Most of them were probably sheared at Saturday's (April 28) Balding for Dollars fundraising event, part of a province-wide initiative to raise money for kids with cancer.
Squamish residents raised $45,119.36 this year - well over the goal of $32,000, which was needed to buy a van that would transport children battling cancer to outings.
"It was great," said organizer Cheryl Gordon. "We did very well this year."
Over 70 local residents visited the Adventure Centre to be shorn or lend support and encourage friends and family.
Children as young as five years old and adults well into their 60s plunked themselves into the chairs, and then handed over $41,000. They all came out the other side grinning and rubbing each other's heads, delighting in the velvety newness.
Sitting side by side in barber's chairs were husband and wife team Daniel Pletz and Maya Charnell, who jointly raised $1,890. Both sported full heads of luscious locks before being shorn by Laura Vreeken and Terry Greenall of Cut'n Loose, who volunteered their services.
"My mom is going through chemo right now, and she's living far away so I wanted to support her by doing this," said Charnell. "We've always supported it, but now that it's affecting our family, it was important to do something more."
Despite the serious subject, participants found moments of levity in the day.
"I heard bald is sexy and I'll try anything," laughed Pletz.
Eleven-year-old Jessica Johnstone arrived at the event with an enviable head of long auburn hair. She impressed the crowd with a brave game face and sense of humour, proudly holding her newly detached pigtails in each hand. Johnstone said she was excited and nervous about shaving her head, but felt compelled to do it after losing a loved-one.
"My grandfather had cancer, and he just died from it," said Johnstone. "It is a way I can help out a little."
Balding for Dollars is an annual fund-raising event aimed at raising money for family support programs, research, educational materials and medical supplies for the Cancer Ward and Outpatient Clinic at BC Children's Hospital.
The hair collected at the event will be sent to a wig maker specializing in wigs for cancer survivors in Vancouver.
The monies not used to purchase the van will go toward a children's camp and toward making life easier on families of children battling cancer.
