By: Maria M.
Almost everybody has been touched by the incurable cancer; it is due to that, that on March 6th 2014, many of the students that attended Western Canada High School hosted an incredible head shave charity event for the Canadian Cancer Society. Thanks to the generous help of the Husky Steering Committee and the talented direction of many of the Leadership students involved, an astounding $25, 000 was raised. The entirety of this money will be placed directly into the hands of those working towards research and patient programs.The Western Canada High School head shave took place with Global News’s Gord Gillies volunteering as the MC and with Western Canada’s very own Jam Club taking courteously participation in providing music for the event as well as graciously donating some hair. With supportive peers enthusiastically cheering on from the bleachers, the brave Shavees step up to their chairs, some nervous, some eager, some both for the dramatic change in appearance that was about to take place in them. Many found consolation with the fact that what they were doing was going to be unselfishly helping out the fundraiser raise the funds goal they were striving for. Several of Students involved selflessly sacrificed their beloved locks, some as far as donating up to two feet or longer of hair which will be made into wigs that will benefit those in the community who were part of the reason for this fundraiser.
One of Western’s many talented and generous students, was Orin Markle, who himself was diagnosed with cancer in November of this past year. With his kind and caring friend Arthur, they did many different types of fundraising which in total themselves; they managed to raise $5,800. Orin and his friend attended the event; they were elated with how excited everyone was so eagerly willing to donate their hair, for a cause that meant so much to him and many others.
It was outstanding to see the amount of people who not only showed up, but who volunteered time and donated money, refreshments and photography, media coverage, handled all the donations, kept up on the totals making the public aware. Could you imagine the impact of such an amazing event on those not even attending when they were made aware of the twenty five thousand dollars that was raised and donated to help such a worth and deserving cause.
I truly believe that if the whole world had the good heart and the generosity of all those involved in this event that we as a society would be such a better place. Imagine all the other charities if so successful how much good we would be able to accomplish. I personally have felt the tragedy of losing someone to cancer; but even without this I found myself being incredibly moved by the overwhelming love and generosity of all those involved and know the in the future I will be more aware and more involved with helping others.
