Close shave

Keeley Sweitzer walked into Intercity Shopping Centre on Saturday with long, flowing golden locks.

The 12-year-old walked out with a bag full of hair.

It was all in the name of a good cause, the soon-to-be teenager said, her friends clamouring to pat her now stubbly scalp.
It’s a lot colder and definitely feels different, but shaving her head at the annual Cops for Cancer fundraiser was the right thing to do, she said.

“I’ve had a lot of family pass away from cancer and it’s affected a lot of people. So I’m donating my hair to kids with cancer who want wigs,” said Keeley, who was joined by her father in the stylist’s chair and shaved by none other than Thunder Bay’s folic-challenged Mayor Keith Hobbs.

“Cancer affects everyone.”

Having her father, a Thunder Bay Police Service officer at her side made the decision a little easier.

“I like how I’m not alone and there are lots of other people doing it,” she said. “It’s good, it’s great.”

Mike Sweitzer, the aforementioned father, had a lot less hair to worry about, Mother Nature and genetics giving him a bit of a head start.

He was beaming with pride after all was said and done, kicking off an event that last year raised $40,000.
“As a parent, it’s amazing. We all know 12-year-old girls. They are very conscious of their looks, and to shave off her hair is great,” he said.
Organizer Brad Comuzzi said the attention brought by Keeley can only help their cause.

“It’s been a good turnout so far. We had a nice little crowd for Keeley’s shave and we’ve got no complaints so far,” he said.

About 70 pledge sheets were signed out leading up to the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, near the entrance to the yet-to-open Target store next to the food court.