Yesterday, 110 of the Queen’s community shed their locks and raised more than $22,000 during Queen’s Cancer Triad’s annual Cuts for Cancer. However, the amount will increase as donations continue to come in. Last year, the initiative also raised more than $22,000.
The event, held in the lower ceilidh from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., raised money for the Canadian Cancer Society while collecting donations for Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids.
Jenna Smith, ArtSci ’04, participated in the event because cancer is a cause close to her heart.
“I had a lot of hair to give and I know two people who’ve lost their hair to cancer, and one who died because of cancer,” said Smith, who raised $2,800.
With cancer prevalent in the lives of those close to him, Brian Cheney, AMS vice-president-elect of university affairs also participated in the event, having his head shaved.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Cheney said. “Recently, I’ve been affected by a few friends and family with cancer and I think this is the best way to bring attention to a very serious issue.”
Remy Studli, Sci ’07, thought the event was a good time to shave his head and raise some money.
“I’ve never had my hair cut off before, and I raised $100 for a good cause,” he said.
Chris Taylor, ArtSci ’04, said he didn’t believe a friend could raise $100 for the event last year and found himself raising his own $100 this year. He also said he believed he had something unique to offer.
“I’m a red head, and I think red wigs are rare for patients,” he said.
Cuts for Cancer coordinators Zafir Kalamadeen, ArtSci ’04, and Josée Lynch, ArtSci ’05, said the event helps people understand part of what cancer patients experience.
“We want the Queen’s and Kingston community to put themselves in cancer patient shoes and share their burden with them,” Lynch said.
Kalamadeen said the event was started to help young cancer patients in their fight against the illness.
“We continue with it for three reasons: to get hair donations for those who can’t afford it, to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and to raise awareness for cancer in general,” he said.
Lynch said for the first time this year, the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto are running a similar event.
“We’ve started a Cuts for Cancer culture,” Lynch said.
Hairstylists from Signatures, Maison Paul Coiffure and Pierre Amelotte International volunteered their time for the entire day cropping 10-inch locks for wigs and shaving heads. Along with the cuts, the Queen’s Cancer Triad auctioned off teddy bears, gift baskets, gift certificates and golf shirts.
Ryan Zufelt, Erik and Mike Maggrah, all ArtSci ’07, came out to the cause. They will also be biking from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland in May to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
“There is a lot of cancer in my family,” Mike Maggrah said. “I’ve never met one of my grandmothers because she died of breast cancer.”
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