Helen Owen will be adding to her hat collection after living up to a promise to have her head shaved if at least $600,000 was raised from Prince George's version of the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
Surrounded by colleagues and local media, Owen, the society's Community Giving team lead, took a seat outside ReMax Centre City on Wednesday and let hairstylist Adele Rouleau and her electric shears do their work.
What was a once a short-length hairstyle became a buzz cut, but Owen said it was worth it, particularly because Prince George's event was the top fundraiser among all the Relays for Life held across Canada this year.
"This is the least I can do for what this community has shown for support," Owen said. "My hair will grow back. I'm proud to be part of this community and I think this is amazing."
By the time all the donations were counted, the 145 teams who participated in the local Relay for Life had raised $560,000, which was enough to be the top fundraiser in Canada. But when local businessman Brent Marshall heard Owen would have her head shaved if $600,000 was reached, he topped it off.
Owen said Marshall, who could not make it to the event Wednesday, has also committed to raising at least $5,000 by the end of this year as part of the Society's Dream Team campaign. But if $50,000 is raised, Owen said Marshall will be the next one to sit in the seat.
And she said all those donations will be designated for brain cancer research and will be matched dollar for dollar by Brain Canada.
Last year, Prince George's Relay for Life, the only 24-hour relay in Canada, raised $548,000, which was the second highest total nationwide.
