In 1994, an Edmonton police officer with a shaved head posed for a picture with a young cancer patient. This show of support for a child who was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss acted as an incentive for other officers to join in and have their heads shaved. Since then police officers from across Canada have held Cops for Cancer events for the Canadian Cancer Society.
On Thursday, August 23, twelve brave souls went bald in style at Richmond, B.C.’s Crestwood Corporate Centre. With the help of Bentall Real Estate Services, more than $11,000 was raised during its Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer fundraiser. Money was raised from a barbecue, a dozen head shavings, a dunk tank, as well as hair fudging.
Since Cops for Cancer began, over $20 millionhas been raised in the fight against cancer. Programs are initiated when the local police force contacts the closest regional Cancer Society division. The police do most of the work, both in organizing and promoting the event, but the Society helps by receiving donations and issuing tax receipts, providing pledge forms, posters and other promotional material.
