Grace Hatherill is excited to graduate from Oak Bay High this year. In the first of many grad activities planned, early next month she will line up with her classmates to have her grad photo taken. One thing will be missing though – the days are numbered for Hatherill’s waist-length hair.
“I’m shaving my head for Cops for Cancer,” the 17-year-old said.
She and about 200 other Oak Bay students have already begun their efforts to raise cash for this year’s Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. The tour, which begins on Sept. 22 and will take 17 riders on a 1,000-kilometre ride down Vancouver Island, raises money for pediatric cancer research and Camp Goodtimes – a summer camp for kids with cancer.
“I’ve had long hair all through school and I have a friend who goes to Camp Goodtimes,” Hatherill said.
Hatherill met her friend when she was living on the Sunshine Coast, before the girl’s life was changed by cancer at a young age.
“She started going there when she was seven,” Hatherill said. “Now she’s a camp leader.”
Hatherill’s personal experience led her to join Oak Bay High’s team of fundraisers who host several events to help bring their donation total up.
“Our slogan for this year is, Cops for Cancer 2012: Teamwork makes the dream work,” said Maria Talalaeva, media relations leader for the Oak Bay High Cops for Cancer campaign. “We are putting so much effort into making this dream of ours work.”
The head shave event takes place Sept. 27, a week before grad photos.
“I’ll be bald for grad,” she said. And, so far, she will be the only girl. Six other female students have agreed to cut their hair short, but Hatherill is going all the way to reach her personal fundraising goal of $2,000.
The school is aiming to beat last year’s total of just over $45,000.
To donate to Hatherill go to copsforcancerbc.ca and click on ‘support a fundraiser’.
“A few key things the Cops for Cancer team want to stress is our need for support in the community, as we are also doing canvassing, and have set up Internet donations through our Oak Bay website as well,” Talalaeva said.
For more information go to oakbay.sd61.bc.ca
Events at-a-glance
Silent Auction – Thursday Sept. 20, East gym, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Bottle Drive – Saturday Sept. 22, East gym at 9 a.m. on the field.
Bingo Night – Tuesday Sept. 25, East gym, 7 to 9 p.m.
Community Bake Sale – Saturday Sept. 29, Oak Bay Avenue, outside Pharmasave, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Benefit Concert – Sunday Sept. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), West auditorium.