Tom Henihan
Express Staff
We’re Hair for a Cure, is a local Peace Region initiative to raise money for cancer research.
Organized by Mike Farrow and Grant Popielarz, the annual head-shave fundraiser is now in its fifteenth year.
It was during a conversation over coffee that the two friends came up with the idea to organize the head shaving “We’re Hair for a Cure.”
“I have had three family members who passed away from cancer, one as recently as January of this year,” says Farrow.
“Grant Popielarz and I were having coffee one day and we were talking about it and we said that nobody does the “Head Shave” around here so we started it and it was a huge success.”
In 2014, We’re Hair For a Cure received the Canadian Cancer Society’s “Community Champions Award,” and since its inception, it has raised $212,800 for cancer research.
We’re Hair for the Cure does not raise funds for any particular form of cancer, recognizing that people are touched by all types of cancer, so the event should be inclusive and support all kinds of cancer research.
“We encourage people to have some fun with it,” says Farrow. “I colour my hair every year, so people know spring is coming. Most people who know me say, ‘you are colouring your hair so spring is here.’
He also says that over the years, he has heard a great many stories from people who have come to the Head Shave event and that all kinds of people show up to show their support.
“We’ve just enjoyed showing our support for each other and the people who are going through a battle with cancer,” says Farrow.
“We’ve had lots of interesting stories from people. We’ve had complete families who shave their heads, to women who get it done, to people who are cancer survivors. It is just wonderful to see the outpouring in the Peace Country.”
Registration for the We’re Hair for the Cure is open until May 3.
To register or for more information, visit www.hairforacure.ca or call Mike at 780-624.4977
The 2019 Head Shave is at Riverdrive Mall in Peace River on Saturday, May 11, at 12 noon.