Sixteen students and staff lose their locks in the name of charity
On the last day of February, sixteen students and faculty lined up in BCIT’s Great Hall to say goodbye to their hair. In the process, they hoped those who did not voluntarily make that choice would benefit.
Balding for Dollars
(Courtesy of Zac Dér)
Notably, over $3,000 dollars was raised for BC Children’s Hospital’s Balding for Dollars campaign.
Event organizer Zac Dér says money raised will go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to help children and their families who, together, are battling cancer.
Head shaving took place on a small stage, but Dér hopes the event will make a big difference to many.
The second-year environmental health student says he hopes a little extra cash in hand will help families do things they couldn’t otherwise do.
Since many children lose their hair while undergoing cancer treatment, money raised could go towards the Wigs for Kids program.
[pullquote align=”right”]Of the sixteen who participated, two were faculty members and one female student participated.[/pullquote]
According to the Balding for Dollars website, Wigs for Kids “could be helping a child receive a wig when their hair falls out, or helping families pay for the financial burden put on them with the cost of feeding supplies and medications not covered by health insurance.”
Aside from the financial boost for families, the website says Wigs for Kids hopes to boost children’s confidence and despite their illness, allow them to “experience life with fun and dignity.”
In total, nine students signed up in advance, and seven others joined in on the day of the event. Those who participated collected pledges.
Of the sixteen who participated, two were faculty members and one was a female student.
Dér highlighted that over and above the satisfaction that comes with helping a good cause, participating in the event brought together colleagues in his environmental health program.
Having exceeded the $2,500 goal they set out to achieve, Dér hopes to see the event happen again next year.
According to the Balding for Dollars webpage, UBC and SFU are both set to hold their own version of the event in March.
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