Keep those pony tails and that waist-length hair, and put it to a good cause.
Lizzy Lee and Me children’s hair salon at Shelbourne Plaza is holding a Cut-A-Thon on Feb. 27 to support the Wigs for Kids charity program. The B.C. Children’s Hospital initiative provides custom-fitted wigs to sick children, and makes life a little bit easier during a time of cancer treatment or other illness that causes hair loss.
“To donate hair, you need a minimum 12 inches of length but anyone can support the program by getting a haircut that day: men or women,” said organizer and manager Caroline Woodbridge. “The cost of the cut will be donated to Wigs for Kids.”
The idea for a Cut-A-Thon started last year when a private group requested use of the store space and employees to support the same cause.
As a two-time cancer survivor, Lizzy Lee and Me owner Lisette Scabar was ready and willing.
“I was 20 when I first got cancer and lost my hair. At first it wasn’t so bad being bald. After a while I just felt like a break from all of the attention this attracted, plus it was pretty chilly outside,” Scabar said.
Last year’s private event saw a dozen friends rally for their friend with a brain tumour, and about six of them qualified to donate their hair to Wigs for Kids in her honour.
“Unfortunately word got out about last year’s event and because it was private, we had to turn people away which we felt awful about, so this is our first public Cut-a-Thon but our second year doing it, and we plan to make it annual,” Scabar said.
(Below: Five-year-old Jolina Morash donated a 12-inch-length of hair to Wigs for Kids at her first hair cut, done at Lizzy Lee and Me.)
Purchasing a customized wig can range of $1,800 to $3,000. Wigs for Kids is able to purchase the wigs at cost from Vancouver-based manufacturing company Eva and Co.
With daily use, a natural-hair wig can last eight to 18 months, and be cut, coloured and styled to preference. But the costs is still $800 to Eva and Co. per wig, and Wigs for Kids is in need of funds as well as hair.
“I’m encouraging men (and women) willing to shave their heads to come as we’ll auction off the first swipe with the (electric) clipper, which is always the best swipe,” Woodbridge said. “I once raised $200 doing it at a fundraising event.”
The Feb. 27 Cut-a-Thon will run from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., raising hair and dollar donations Wigs for Kids.
The store has created pledge sheets ahead of the event for people to pick up ahead of time. Phone 250-590-5568 or email info@lizzyleeandme.com for more information.
reporter@saanichnews.com