Cousins Kathleen and Leanne Navis take a mid-shave break to show off hair they're donating, for use in wigs. The two were part of the 12th annual Engineering head Shave. The annual event has raised more than $300,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation since 2003.
(Edmonton) University of Alberta students brought their hair and their wallets to the 12th annual Engineering Head Shave, helping raise money to help cancer patients.
Some students stepped up to have their hair cut off because friends or family members had battled cancer; others, like fourth-year civil engineering student Sean Boyd, say it's just the right thing to do.
"To me, raising money and getting shaved? It's just the little bit that I can do for others," said Boyd. "My hair is going to grow back-but it is a little reminder of how difficult things can be for other people."
The event began in 2003 when Ron Wicentowich, an Edmonton man whose sons Gary and Graham were studying engineering at the U of A, was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Led by engineering students, friends of the family organized an event called Razored for Ron, which was held off campus. The following year, the Engineering Students' Society began the Engineering Head Shave.
Since then the event has raised more than $300,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Funds raised from this year's event will support clinical trials of new cancer drugs at the Cross Cancer institute in Edmonton.
The Wicentowich family attended the head shave today, expressing gratitude to the U of A campus community.
"I'm proud to see that this is a tradition that has continued," said Graham. "It's an event that people from around campus rally around."
Mechanical engineering student Bill Tran, who co-organized the event, says the Engineering Head Shave is a special event to be involved in.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again-it's a privilege to be able to organize an event like this because the impact goes far beyond the engineering buildings and the university campus. Literally everyone here has finals to be studying for, but they are taking time out for a good cause."
Donations are still being accepted. Give now at the Engineering Head Shave's website.