On March 23, thousands of Albertans will have their heads shaved at West Edmonton Mall as part of the Hair Massacure, an annual fundraiser that has brought in millions of dollars for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
On March 17, however, the Chic Boutique in Plamondon hosted their own mini-Massacure, where a considerably smaller, but no less enthusiastic group either had their hair dyed pink or shaved off entirely.
Deborah Gauthier had essentially brought the Hair Massacure to Plamondon just over a month ago and promoted it among local businesses and schools. Despite the short turn-around, many jumped on board, raising approximately $30,000.
Gauthier said their event was basically just a way to promote the Hair Massacure for next year, when she hopes the community will truly rally behind the campaign.
On hand was Tammy MacDonald, co-founder of the Hair Massacure. Tammy doesn’t typically make it to all the Hair Massacure fundraisers held in Alberta communities, but her family is originally from the Plamondon area.
The Hair Massacure originally began in 2005 after Tammy’s daughter Kali was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia.
Kali had lost her hair after three years of "very aggressive” chemotherapy treatments. Though Kali survived (she is 19 years old today), she had lost her hair.
Kali’s father Gord wanted to show his support by getting his head shaved as well at the main depot of Canada Post. Unfortunately, he had trouble raising pledges, since a man shaving his head is fashionable.
"So out of frustration, he said, ‘I might as well dye my hair pink.’ And I said, ‘Yep!’” Tammy said.
In 2006, they moved the fundraiser to West Edmonton Mall, which has now grown to include thousands across Alberta.
"My cousin Deborah, it was through her efforts (that the Massacure was established) here in Plamondon,” she said, noting her cousins were also working on bringing the event to Lac La Biche.
Among those who came in to get their heads shaved was Fay Tibbetts, who works at the Plamondon Co-op.
She said she started fundraising as soon as she heard about the campaign, and on her own, she had raised more than $1,500, which would be added to her team’s total contribution.
"A lot of us care about our community. All of us care about children. If you have the capacity to help, you should do it,” she said.
Another young participant was six-year-old Charlize Braund. Instead of getting her hair dyed or shaved, she donated 10 inches of her hair to be used in wigs for cancer victims. While her hair was being cut, her aunt Deborah was in tears over the little girl’s courage.
"That’s a lot of hair,” Charlize said, while holding up a fistful of strands.
Also in attendance was teenager was Danielle Henderson. Unlike the others, she was going to join the throngs at West Edmonton Mall.
"I think it’s really brave for other people to do it, and I thought it would be a good idea to help raise money and awareness for it,” she said.
Danielle is being sponsored by The Co-operators—Piquette Insurance Services in Lac La Biche, which is owned and operated by her mother and aunt, to the tune of $10,000.
She confesses to being "very nervous” at the prospect of losing her hair. "(But) it must really suck for people to have to go bald and have no choice in the matter,” Danielle said. "For me to do it, I think it would help them a little bit.”
