The Kwantlen Bald Eagles, a group of Kwantlen Polytechnic University students, raised $4,225 for cancer research during the Terry Fox Great Canadian Hair “Do” event this summer. As part of a civic engagement project for English course 4401: topics in Canadian literature (decoding the Canadian hero), the Kwantlen Bald Eagles spent the better part of the semester organizing the event.
“The students who organized this community fundraiser more than doubled their original goal of raising $2,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research, exceeding all expectations,” says Greg Chan, English 4401 instructor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University. “Several of them had their hair cut, and two students - Allycia McPherson and Alexis Johnson - donated three inches of their hair for wigs. Congratulations to the Kwantlen Bald Eagles on their achievement, and thank you to all our supporters.”
By donation, a volunteer-team of local hairdressers and estheticians came to the university’s Surrey campus to shave, shear, colour, thread, henna-tattoo, and/or wax students, staff, and faculty. In partnership with Eva & Company Wigs, the Kwantlen Bald Eagles collected enough hair to create eight wigs for those in the community living with cancer. The fundraising event, which also included a barbeque, bake sale, and a 50/50 draw, was a show of solidarity for those living with cancer.
All proceeds from the event went to the Terry Fox Foundation, the event’s official sponsor.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Please visit: kwantlen.ca.
-30-
Caption: (L-R) Kwantlen students Brianne Kirkby and Allycia McPherson participate in the Terry Fox Great Canadian Hair “Do”event
For more information about KPU, contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
Tel: 604.599.2883
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
For more KPU news:
twitter.com/KPUmedia
kpu.ca/news