Digby Relay for Life happens June 16

Scallop Queen will shave her head at Relay for Life

Claudia Crocker, the 2017 Digby Scallop Queen, was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was eight years old.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches that are itchy and sometimes painful.

After trying many unsuccessful medications and treatments she found out that one of her last options for treatment was to do light therapy. For the light therapy to be successful, she has to shave her head.

Crocker has decided she’s going to chop off her 14 inches of hair in support of the Relay for The 2017 Digby Scallop Queen Claudia Crocker. Life on June 16 in the Digby.

“I figured I’m going to have to do it anyway so someone else might as well get enjoyment out of it,” she said.

The now 19-year-old faced a lot of bullying growing up because of her condition. But she hasn’t let it stop her from succeeding.

“It was really hard growing up, but I got through it,” she said.

Crocker loves to change her hair. She’s cut off inches and added different colors to it, just because she felt like it.

“I’ve always done spontaneous things with my hair and I’m looking at it like this is just another one of those spontaneous things,” she said.

Crocker is looking forward to her new hairdo.

“I’m a little nervous but mostly really excited,” she said.

She’s taken part in a few Relay for Life events in the past. This year, Crocker is on a team with some friends from the Island’s.

The Digby Relay for Life goes June 16 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Digby Arena. The Survivors Lap is at 6 p.m. with the Luminary Ceremony happening at 9 p.m. The evening event is open to the public. The Digby Relay for Life has 17 teams registered and just over 170 participants. This number includes the 20 cancer survivors registered.

The Relay for Life will also include live entertainment, games and activities, themed laps of the track and more.

Many local businesses have helped out sponsoring parts of the event, including Bay Ferries, Home Hardware, Tim Horton’s, Sobeys, Pizza Delight and others.

“Our community has really stepped up and pulled together for this relay,” said Terry Corcoran, chairman of Digby Relay for Life committee.

circulation manager, 1-800-567-7377 circulationnsweeklies@kingscountynews.ca

• Yarmouth, Shelburne, Digby & Queens Counties: $75.75 incl. HST

• Other NS: $114.63 incl. HST

• NB, NL & PEI: $114.63 incl. HST

• Ontario: $112.64 incl. HST

• Other Canada: $104.66 incl. GST