The Portage Friendship Centre joined forces with Central Plains Cancer Care to raise funds and awareness by shaving the heads of 11 Portagers at the Eagles Fire Youth Centre today. PCI students form the hairstyling class did the cutting and shaving. Cancer Care executive director Judy Sauder describes the event.

"It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of people who came out today, and Shirley even shaved her head right down, just about right off. So, that was pretty amazing."

She adds, "Some of the people who came in to have their hair cut today had quite long pony tails. And so they actually cut off their entire pony tail, and we're going to be donating that to make wigs."

"We've got a large group here raising funds and awareness for cancer care," says Friendship Centre executive director Shirley Bernard. "There's eleven of us in total, and we've got a great turnout. We've got a lot of supporters supporting us for the people that we're supporting. It's a great turnout. This place is full."

Bernard notes one person was absent, but still involved.

"We've got one person that couldn't show up today. It's Susan Ward. She's at Swan Lake. She is going to do hers at her own workplace. She's put a pledge out for whoever made the largest donation can shave her head. She's going to do it at her office. She'll video tape it, and send it to us via Facebook."

Benny Monkman was one of the people who volunteered to have their heads shaved, and says, "I'm a a cancer survivor. So, I just did it for all the people that had cancer, or that have cancer." When asked what it was like for him, he said, "It's cold (laughs). I'm happy that it's gone this way. Now I don't have to comb it every day and wash it (laughs)."

Bernard says it's not too late to donate to cause by dropping your donation off at the Portage Friendship Centre. She adds to see $5.00 and $10.00 come in here and there, and then to see some substantially larger amounts made them feel very fortunate to reach that amount. Bernard thanks all supporters and those who made the donations as well as the media for coverage.

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