Cape Breton Post

Buzzing hair to make a difference

Ten-year-old gives up his long, blond locks for the cause

- BY SHARON MONTGOMERY-DUPE sharon.montgomery@cbpost.com

Applause was loud during the annual Cops Against Cancer Buzz at Sobeys on Friday, especially when 10-year-old Zakk MacDonald sat in the barber’s chair.

Const. Dwight Miller, co-ordinator of the Police Boys and Girls Club in Glace Bay, asked MacDonald if he would take part in the fundraiser and get his long, blond hair buzzed.

“He asked me, and I said yes,” said the youngster from Dominion.

MacDonald has been touched by the disease. He never met his grandfathe­r Gary McNeil, who died from cancer Dec. 26, 2000, at age 47. Other family members have also had cancer.

The event, which is organized by the Cape Breton Regional Police, raises money and creates awareness as the battle against cancer continues. Cops Against Cancer, which began in 1996 in Cape Breton, is the local chapter of the national Cops for Cancer campaign.

Over the past several months, MacDonald raised $466 in donations with the help of his mother

who spread the word on social media.

“I hope it will help a lot of kids,” he said, adding he also had a schoolmate who died of cancer.

MacDonald said he wasn’t nervous and his friends all knew about his plan.

“They were picturing what I’d look like without any hair.”

The young boy’s family attended the event including his

parents Ashely MacNeil and Ryan MacDonald.

MacNeil said they were proud of their son for having the courage Zakk MacDonald, 10, had a little less hair after being buzzed at the Cops Against Cancer fundraiser at Sobeys in Glace Bay on Friday. The young boy’s parents were in attendance and said they were proud of his participat­ion in the fundraiser.

to take part especially in front of the large crowd.

On Friday, the annual buzz events were held at Sobeys stores in Glace Bay, Sydney and North Sydney.

“Family from both sides of our family have had cancer, some able to beat the cancer and some unfortunat­ely weren’t able to do so,” MacNeil said.

Miller said he talked about the annual buzz at the Police Boys and Girls Club and MacDonald stepped up to take part.

“I’m very proud of him,” he said. “I coach him at the club and he’s a good kid.”

Miller said everyone who took part made a difference including Gary Chant, owner of Meco DKI in Glace Bay, who participat­ed along with five employees.

“We don’t have a figure yet because he got corporate sponsors and donations are still coming in for (the fundraiser),” he said. “It’s going to raise quite a bit of money above and beyond.”

As well Miller said they appreciate the assistance from the Sobeys stores, Scotiabank and Perry’s Gym and other organizati­ons that stepped forward to help.

 ?? SHARON MONTGOMERY-DUPE/CAPE BRETON POST ?? Pius Locke of Glace Bay, a retired barber, buzzes the head of Zakk MacDonald, 10, of Dominion, during the Cops Against Cancer buzz at Sobeys in Glace Bay on Friday. Locke has been volunteeri­ng his time at the annual fundraisin­g event for more than 20...
SHARON MONTGOMERY-DUPE/CAPE BRETON POST Pius Locke of Glace Bay, a retired barber, buzzes the head of Zakk MacDonald, 10, of Dominion, during the Cops Against Cancer buzz at Sobeys in Glace Bay on Friday. Locke has been volunteeri­ng his time at the annual fundraisin­g event for more than 20...
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