A sold-out Mustang raffle has turned into a hair-raising experience that will benefit cancer patients.
On Wednesday, the Canadian Cancer Society's Prince George wig bank received a cheque for $24,000, the net proceeds from the Nechako Rotary Club's ticket sales on a 1969 Ford Mustang.
The money will be used to make wigs for cancer sufferers who lose their own hair as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
"It's very traumatic if you lose your hair," said Margaret Jones-Bricker, northern regional director of the Canadian Cancer Society. "For people to have an opportunity to have wigs gives them that sense of comfort so they're not embarrassed about being out in the public. It helps to build your self-esteem.
"Every year in northern B.C. more than 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancer, and there are some people who don't know about the wig bank. Wigs can be several hundred dollars and it's nice that we can make them available to people with no fee associated."
Last year, the Canadian Cancer Centre office in downtown Prince George provided 164 wigs or headwear to cancer patients.
The wig bank depends on local donors who provide hair of at least 20 centimetres (eight inches) in length. The hair is then sent to a wig manufacturer in Vancouver. Between 25 and 30 donations are required to make one wig.
"It's a fantastic cause," said Kelly Zammit, president of the Nechako Rotary Club.
"We all have family and friends who have suffered from cancer and have gone through such a traumatic experience. I know how attached I am to my hair. A lot of people feel quite distraught when they're going through the treatment and this is a wonderful to support people who are going through that struggle, when they have so many other expenses and stresses."
The wig bank donation is part of a $100,000 fundraising campaign for the Kordyban Cancer Lodge, which also involves the Yellowhead and Downtown Rotary Clubs, as well as club chapters in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Burns Lake, Williams Lake, and Quesnel.
"We're thrilled with the support we're getting from the Rotarians," said Les Waldie, campaign manager for the Kordyban Lodge. "We're getting regional support and that's great.
"It's wonderful to see the building under construction now.
So far, the project has raised $65,000. When completed, the Kordyban Lodge will provide overnight accommodation for 36 cancer patients while they are receiving treatment in the adjacent B.C. Cancer Agency Centre for the North. It will give local residents access to the wig bank, as well as counseling services.
Both buildings are expected to open in December 2012.
If you have hair or a wig to donate to the wig bank, contact the Canadian Cancer Society's Victoria Street office at 250-564-0885.
