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Shaving a head can mean a lot to someone who has lost their hair to cancer

'Everyone here knows somebody that has been affected by cancer, either a friend or a family member. It is important to get out and support causes like this' Detective Constable Darcy Wall.

On a cold and windy fall afternoon,10 members of the North Bay Police Service, and member of security services at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, lined up outside the Canadian Cancer Society office on Lakeshore Drive, to get their heads shaved for an important fundraiser.

Cops for Cancer, a national fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, started in 1994.

“It started as a result of a Sergeant with the Edmonton Police Service meeting a five-year-old boy who had a bald head as a result of chemotherapy treatment. He explained to the police officer how embarrassed, how ashamed and how belittled he was at school because he had a bald head. That year the sergeant started the Cops for Cancer head-shaving campaign to show support for the boy,” explained Deputy Police Chief Scott Tod.

“Since then over $50.4 million has been raised by police officers, firefighters, emergency service workers, and security services across Canada in efforts to battle cancer. That is a lot of money that has gone into cancer research.”  

Gil Pharand senior manager of the Canadian Cancer Society in North Bay thanked the participants for their fundraising efforts.

“At first glance this morning, this group of gentlemen has already raised $5,500 so there will probably be about $6,000-$6,500 once everything is added up, which is fantastic. Cops for Cancer has been around locally for more than 20 years,” said Pharand.

“The money goes mainly toward's research, treatment, and support services. Cops for Cancer is one of our signature programs across the country. Overall it is a group of like-minded individuals who get together and raise a lot of money for cancer.”

Executive member of the North Bay Police Association, Detective Constable Darcy Wall says it is a cause that hits close to home for a number of its members.

“Everyone here knows somebody that has been affected by cancer, either a friend or a family member. It is important to get out and support causes like this,” said Wall.  

Once the shaving was complete, the transformation was astonishing to those seeing their new look for the first time.

“This is new for me. I’ve never had it like this before. I didn’t think it was going to be this short. All my hair is gone, but it was for a good cause, so I’m happy to do it,” said Constable Justin Brear.

It was also an opportunity for the Cancer Society to recognize the work of two of its local volunteers. Julie Lefebvre received a community impact award for her role helping with Relay for Life since its inception in North Bay 18 years ago.  

Mirelle Breault received a community impact award related to her years of volunteer service helping with the daffodil campaign.