Head for a Cure
Hants County students, teachers lop off locks for charity wig drive
Stephanie McMillan used to dread birthdays. But, when her friend died at age 30 due to cancer, her perspective changed.
“When I turned 30, I was so grateful. It has totally changed my outlook on things,” said McMillan in front of an audience of around 500 students.
McMillan, a teacher at West Hants Middle School, was one of several people who shared stories about how cancer has impacted their lives during the school’s Head for a Cure hair cutting event.
Ponytail after ponytail was snipped off on May 30 as children, teachers and parents showed their support of an initiative that uses donated hair to manufacture wigs for cancer patients.
The event was originally spearheaded by Grade 6 teacher Melissa Greenough, who began lopping off her locks for charity in 2012 when she worked at Windsor Forks District School. She brought the event to Brooklyn when she switched schools. Held every two years, this marks the fourth such event.
For Greenough, it’s a cause that is near and dear to her heart.
“Over 200,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer this year. One in every two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This means we all have a story. A cancer story. Whether our story is how cancer impacted us, how it impacted a family member, or how it impacted someone we know, we all have a story,” said Greenough.
Greenough’s story
“My story is a long one, with both grandmothers having fought and won their battles with cancer,” she said.
In 2009, after fighting for a year, Greenough’s father, former Windsor fire chief Fred Fox, died from mesothelioma at the age of 56.
Greenough, along with her daughter, were the first to have their hair cut at the event.
Michelle MacIver, a substitute teacher at the school, manned the scissors. She began her battle with cancer a year ago.
“It was a shock. I found a lump myself and went through the process of mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies to find out,” she said.
“Through the process, I found out that I have the bracket two gene, meaning that I have the genetic disposition for breast cancer, along with ovarian cancer as well.”
MacIver, who is undergoing additional surgeries in hopes of preventing future cancers, said it was heart-warming to see the students selflessly donating their hair.
“It was very encouraging to know that the kids are supporting the cause and have that much love for helping others,” MacIver said.
“It’s not cheap to have a wig. I actually went without - not because of the cost, but because I This was Molly Greenough’s second time donating several inches of hair to charity. She participated two years earlier when she was three-years-old when her mother, teacher Melissa Greenough, was working at Windsor Forks District School. Also pictured are school principal Karen Wallace, who was in charge of collecting the ponytails, and cancer survivor Michelle MacIver, who provided the initial haircuts.
was comfortable without (one) - but I know many women who are not comfortable without (a wig),” she said. “It’s just fantastic to be a part of the process.”
‘Amazing donors’
A total of 36 hair were made May 30.
“These amazing donors are doing something to help that does not require raising money or donating their time. It requires them to simply donate something they have that will soon grow back: their ponytails,” said Greenough.
Student Chad Cochrane also spoke at the event and has seen first-hand how wigs can help people battling the disease feel a bit better.
“My mother was donations diagnosed
with breast cancer Sept. 13, 2016 and she’s been going through treatment for the last two years,” Cochrane told his classmates, who would fall silent to hear the guest speakers.
“She had to have chemotherapy, she lost all of her hair. She tried wigs, they didn’t really work, so she tried scarves (and that) didn’t really work, so she went back to wigs,” said Cochrane.
“She doesn’t use it anymore because her hair is starting to grow back, but because of the people that are donating the hair here, she got to get a wig that fit her right. It had the same hair colour.”
Greenough said she’s already planning the next hair cutting event and hopes people will be inspired to let their hair grow out.
“Let’s make this event a movement at West Hants Middle School. Plan to grow your hair and join us in two years’ time. Tell your family and friends to do the same. I want to stand here in 2020 with even more amazing people beside me so we can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
Students from Windsor Forks District School and Brooklyn District Elementary School also donated hair during the special event.
Four Hants Coutny hairstylists — Michelle Crosby, Sandy Hopkins, Tara Johnson, and Lorraine Rawlins — donated their time and talent to help trim the students’ freshly cut hair.