A ten-time Cooke Municipal ladies club champion and multi-time world curling champion are coming together to raise funds and support a friend.
Pauline McDougall and Sherry Anderson are shaving their heads this Friday to raise money for the Victoria Hospital Chemotherapy Unit as well as supporting breast cancer “warrior” Carole Rucks. Anderson said the initiative was launched shortly after visiting Rucks.
“We went to visit Carole about three weeks ago and she had already started her chemotherapy, so her hair was starting to fall out, so she buzzed it all off,” she said. “I don’t know how it started really but within 20 minutes we were shaving our heads.”
McDougall said the idea came from Rucks herself, but the long-time friends didn’t show much hesitation.
“Actually it was Carole that threw it out there a little bit that we should do a Cut for Carole or something like that she said. Sherry said right away, yeah I could do something like that. I then looked at Sherry and said, really? Now I have to too,” McDougall explained.
Not a day goes by in today’s world where someone isn’t touched by the disease, that’s why Anderson said the initiative was easy to stand behind.
“It’s a pretty simple thing for us to do to show support for our friends and loved ones going through cancer or have been through it. It just seemed like a good fit,” she said.
All the funds that are raised leading up to the event on Friday at the Rock and Iron Sports Bar will stay right in Prince Albert. McDougall said they want to focus on making future experiences more pleasant in the chemotherapy unit of the Vic.
“The funds are being sent either to the Victoria Hospital Foundation or to Carole Rucks directly,” she explained. “The money is going directly to the chemotherapy unit. We’re hoping to do something with that room whether it’s painting or buying a new chemo chair making people more comfortable. It depends on how much money we raise.”
The event begins at 7 p.m. with retired stylist Donna Dyck and Michelle Sawchuk from Sincerity Salon having the honours of shaving the ladies’ locks. The lounge will have supper and drink specials, there will be chances to donate on the night of as well. If you do wish to contribute on Carole’s behalf you can go to www.helpthevic.ca
Anderson hopes for a good turn out but at the end of the day future cancer patients will hopefully feel better during their trips to the centre.
“Hopefully it makes that room a little more pleasant while they do chemo. It would be nice knowing we’ve all done a little bit to help them,” Anderson said.
Golf courses across Canada are also involved in the fight against cancer through their Golf Fore the Cure events including the tournament at Elk Ridge every year. If you choose to help battle the disease in that way, click here to find a tournament in your region.