Abby will Brave the Shave at AppleFest!
Abby Guigue has been growing her thick chestnut-coloured locks for about four years. A few months ago, the now 10-year-old decided to mark her decade birthday by shaving her head and raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
She will now have the chance to do so onstage during AppleFest! on Saturday at Galt Gardens.
Guigue celebrated her 10th birthday this past Sunday. The idea to raise money, shave her head and donate her hair for those living with cancer, was one Guigue came up with on her own. And so Abby’s Brave the Shave fundraiser was born.
“She knows a couple people who have battled cancer. Her nana had a quick bout of breast cancer. She didn’t need to go for chemo, but I think that started her wheels turning, thinking about it,” said Cassandra Norminton, family member and event organizer.
Abby had the option to just cut her hair and donate it, said Norminton. But instead Abby chose to shave it all off because she believes it promotes a stronger message. She hopes others will find courage to do the same.
“She really is braving the shave,” said Norminton. “Everybody is super proud of her. Everybody is being super supportive of her.”
Over the past few months, Abby, along with her mother Dallas Guigue and Norminton have been organizing the fundraiser. They also set up a crowdfunding website at www.gofundme.com/abbys-bravethe-shave-event.
Abby has been canvassing local businesses and organizations, and several of them have donated items for the fundraiser. She continues to invite people to her event or ask them to pledge, and has raised almost $500 so far.
Those who donate will be entered into a draw for prizes such as a free night’s stay at Best Western or a $50 gift certificate from Superstore.
The location for the fundraiser has changed a few times, but they have now settled on doing the shave during AppleFest! 2017 at Galt Gardens this Saturday. Abby will be brought onstage between 4-5 p.m.
They are trying to arrange for a stylist from Bettys and Bombshells to come and do the hair shave, as none of the family members can bring themselves to do it.
So far, Abby has expressed no fear or reserve about shaving her head.
“She seems pretty excited about it. She doesn’t seem nervous at all,” said Norminton. “She goes to camp the next day after she shaves it all off. Her mom’s told her you may face a little bullying for this... Her response is ‘I don’t care. I’m going to tell them what have they done for cancer lately?’
“She’s really going into this completely fearless.”
Follow @MelissaVHerald on Twitter