Head-shaving arresting display for pediatric cancer research funds
Even IT director’s ‘luscious full locks’ sacrificed as part of Cops for Cancer cause
Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch knows that when you join law enforcement you have to be willing to put yourself in harm’s way, if need be, in the line of duty
But letting a kid armed with an electric razor with sharp metal blades run it across your temple?
“This isn’t in my job description,” MacCulloch joked as nineyear-old cancer survivor Adam Egerter of Thorold used the shears to shave the top NRP officer’s head Wednesday at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls.
It was the second consecutive year that top brass and NRP civilians willingly went chrome dome, as one of a series of events in the Cops for Cancer initiative
to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.
The Cops for Cancer concept found its way to here when Bill Fordy, a longtime RCMP officer from British Columbia, was recruited as deputy chief in Niagara.
“He had to sell the idea to me, but it was an easy sell,” MacCulloch said in an interview before having his head shaved.
The various fundraisers taking place are a leadup to the main event, a gruelling 500-kilometre, five-day bike ride dubbed the Tour de Golden Horseshoe, from Sept. 16 to 20, involving Niagara police, OPP officers, RCMP, Hamilton and Halton police, as well as Niagara Emergency Medical Services staff.
MacCulloch rode in the final day last year, when, he said, “hurricane” force winds pushed already tired riders to their limit. Last year, the riders stopped at schools along the way, across Niagara, to talk to kids. The riders plan to do so again this year.
“The community has embraced it, and it’s been a really good community-engagement initiative,” the chief said.
He told the crowd at Great Wolf Lodge the events are raising important funds to “help battle that ugly, ugly word,” cancer.
Participants having their heads shaved also shows kids fighting cancer — often losing their hair to the ravages of chemotherapy — that they’re not alone, the chief said.
“It’s a show of solidarity and support for all the thousands of kids battling cancer across Canada,” he said.
Event host Corey Mottley noted that NRP technology services director Akram Askhoul’s wife, no doubt, talks about her husband’s “luscious full locks” when describing his mane.
“Not anymore after today,” Mottley said, as Askhoul got his head shaved by six-year-old Maliya Lafayette of Port Colborne, who is in remission from cancer and taking part in a clinical trial to prevent remission.
Askhoul texted his mom to get ready for his new look minus his black locks.
“I’m going to give her some warning,” he said. “I said, ‘Don’t be scared if a bald man walks in the house.’”
This year’s overall Cops for Kids Niagara goal is $200,000. Organizers said they’re at the $85,000 mark so far.
Students in the Niagara College hairstyling techniques program were on hand to make sure the stubble left behind on participants was even.