Chopping for cancer

Officers at the annual Cops for Cancer fundraiser say the 15-year-old event not only helps raise money to help find a cure, but also gives police a chance to give back to the community.

Hundreds watched as Thunder Bay Police Service officers, paramedics and other law enforcement officers chopped their locks and shaved their heads in support of the Canadian Cancer Society at the Intercity Shopping Centre on Saturday.

The event started in 1994 when Edmonton Police Service Sgt. Gary Goulet wanted to support a five-year-old-boy who was teased for being bald.

Since then, police forces across the country have raised more than $40 million to help the Cancer Society.

"It is phenomenal the number of people that step up and do it," said Thunder Bay Police Service Const. Greg Stephenson, who is also co-ordinator with Cops for Cancer.

"It’s a great event. Any event that raises money to help fight or find a cure for cancer is a worthy event. It also helps us get more involved in the community and give something back. We’re always looking for ways to give back to the community."

RCMP officer Derek Hayden had his head shaved for the first time on Saturday. Hayden said his family has had to deal with cancer in the past and that’s what motivated him to help this year. Hayden raised more than $2,600 for the Canadian Cancer Society and was glad he could have helped his community.

"That’s all due to friends, family and co-workers," Hayden said. "I just put the plea out and they supported me and that’s all I can ask for. We’re public figures and to be able to do this and show our support to the children, that’s what it is for."

Maria Cabral, regional administrator for the Canadian Cancer Society Northwestern Ontario region, said they hoped to raise $30,000 this year and will go toward support programs. She said it was motivating to see an event continue so strongly for 15 years.

"Everyone knows someone who has had cancer," Cabral said. "(Cutting your hair) is a simply thing that you can do and it is so supportive and supports other people that are going through treatment."

Society has become more accepting of those who are going through cancer treatment and incidents such as what happened with the five-year-old Edmonton boy has become rare, she said.

"We’ve come a long way," she said.