LABRADOR CITY, N.L. —
Up until Monday, April 1, Emily Kavanagh and Texas Johnson started their school days as usual; waking, dressing, running a brush through their hair and out the door for class.
After April 1, the students from Menihek High School in Labrador City scratched one chore from their daily routine.
They no longer have to deal with their hair.
Emily, who had a backwards-bob hairstyle, and Texas, who had long shaggy hair touching his shoulders, now have a simple hairstyle.
They’re both bald.
On that Monday Emily, a 15-year-old grade 10 student, and Texas, a 17-year-old grade 11 student, shaved their heads to raise money for cancer research.
The Shave for the Brave event took place in the school gymnasium in front of about 200 of their fellow students.
Texas says he decided to shave his head for the effort because, “It’s awesome to help people” and “cancer sucks.”
He’s had a few people in his family who have battled cancer – his grandfather, about five to eight years ago and his father just recently.
Emily’s great-grandmother battled cancer a few years ago.Emily says she participated because her mother had participated in Shave for the Brave before about five years ago. She was inspired to do the same.
“It’s a lot colder” Emily said of the adjustment from hair to no hair. “Some people have been giving funny looks because they weren’t here when it happened.”
“It’s been fine, but a lot colder,” Texas said.
Together, Emily and Texas raised over $1,000.
Shave for the Brave is a major annual fundraiser for Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC). The funds raised support young adults dealing with cancer and the aftermath, offering programs both online and in person. Programs include The Big Cancer Hook-up, Retreat Yourself, Survivor Conference and others.
YACC was founded in 2000, originally as RealTime Cancer. It is currently based in St. John’s, N.L..
To organize a Shave for the Brave event, visit their website: www.shavefoethebrave.ca
