High school student grows, cuts hair in honour of friend stricken with cancer

When a friend of his family was stricken with cancer, teenager Joshua Stovel thought about ways he might be able to help.

Not being a doctor or medical researcher, the 17-year-old St. Ignatius High School student decided to attempt the next best thing – growing his hair out.

On Friday he knotted most of it up and with a few swift snips of a pair of scissors, he had it cut off and will donate his flowing locks to wigmakers, who will provide wigs to patients suffering the aftereffects of cancer treatment.

Stovel also helped raise about $2,600 for the Canadian Cancer Society, the donations pouring in from family and friends, teachers and fellow students at the north-side school.

“A bunch of family friends were going to shave their heads and I was going to join them,” the Grade 12 student said.

“But then I realized my hair was long so I thought I may as well grow it out to length and then that could be donated and that way people going through chemo could get a wig made out of it. They already have enough on their plate to deal with going through chemo. This will help with their looks.”


Admittedly nervous taking the stage in front of hundreds of fellow St. Ignatius students in the school auditorium, Stovel said it quickly passed.

“I run, so it gets in the way sometimes, so I’m OK with it gone.”

The youngster was astonished at how generous donors were during the fundraising effort, forcing him to return time and time again to the Canadian Cancer Society offices for additional pledge forms.

“Everyone’s been really supportive through it all,” he said. “It feels great.”

Alicia Alves, a spokeswoman at the Canadian Cancer Society, said it’s always important for independent efforts to join the fundraising mix.

“We can throw events, but it means a lot more when people in the community are so passionate about the cause and they want to do something about it themselves,” she said. “We’re very appreciative of Josh, his family and the school. It all came together for the cause and to help Josh.”

The money will be poured into research initiatives.

Cosmetology teacher Enzo Mollicola performed the haircut, then shaved the rest of Stovel’s head to a military-style crew cut.