Students shave heads in fight against cancer

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"I'm kind of nervous. I don't want to do it but I committed to do this," Glenn told the WCR half an hour before she went through the scissors and razor.

This teenager, who co-coordinated the cause, had a family member, who died of cancer about a year ago and a lot of family friends, who are afflicted with the illness.

Together with 60 other students and five teachers at Holy Trinity High School, Glenn lost her hair and raised more than $13,000, Nov. 13.

"It feels weird. But I am happy I did it. I did it for cancer," said the Grade 12 student, who couldn't help but cry while her hair was being shaved.

The money they raised through pledges from their families, friends and classmates was donated to Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.

Missy Zacour, 17, co-coordinator said, "There are a lot of people who have cancer and a lot of them cannot afford to pay for their treatment because Alberta Health Care does not pay for experimental treatment.

"We are hoping that this money will go to the people who can't afford that treatment."

Cheryl Bihuniak's head felt cold after losing her hair. "But I am happy. I am glad I went through this."

While her hair was being shaved, Bihuniak was crying. "I'm going to miss my hair," she explained afterwards.

"I did it because my grandma died of cancer and I think it is a good cause to support cancer research. It makes me feel really proud because we were able to raise a lot of money which is really amazing."

Grade 11 student Bihuniak believes what they did says a lot about youth.

"It says that we are not uncaring as people think and that we can do something positive."

School chaplain Ruth Wasylenko had her shaved too.

Aside from raising funds for cancer research, Wasylenko pointed out the other reason for doing this was "for the students to experience and feel a little bit what it's like to lose your hair because of cancer."

"The Christian value we stress here is that we are called to assist the people, who are least advantaged. And we really can't do that unless we can experience a little about what they feel."

Rene Bastide, 17, said, "I did it to show my respect to a family member who had cancer."

Bernard Lim, 17, who raised $1,395, said, "My grandma had cancer. I did this because I feel that I did something for her.

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