Feb. 2011

BY JOCELYN WESTWOOD
APEGGA Student Columnist
University of Alberta
Engineering

It’s typically the largest charitable event organized by the Engineering Students’ Society and this year was no exception.

At the 7th Annual Engineering Head Shave, held recently at the University of Alberta, 48 brave souls put their heads in the safe hands of student volunteers from local cosmetology school, Marvel College, to support those affected by cancer.

Participants included the university’s Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Carl Amrhein, and Students’ Union President, Nick Dehod. Money was raised through petty cash collection at lectures, by participants, and the general engineering student population.

Event organizers met their goal, raising just over thirty thousand dollars. All funds were donated to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

APEGGA student members and dedicated event coordinators Amanda Schneck, Sonja Roes, Lauren Brunet, JuHee Kim, and Jin Choi spent a significant amount of time and energy to make this a memorable event. They went all-out in the planning, arranging for a local a capella singing group to kick off the afternoon fun. Local radio personality Bryce Kelley played a double role in support of the cause by emceeing the event and having his head shaved.

In contrast to the presence of light-hearted entertainment and the fun had by participants, several solemn moments highlighted the fact that cancer is a very serious disease and can affect anyone.

Leah Kirtio, was the first keynote speaker. Ms Kirtio was a Grant McEwan University graduate and current U of A graduate student suffering from breast cancer. She discussed her struggle with the disease, and acknowledged the great support from staff at the Cross Cancer Institute, especially her doctor.

An eight year old girl had her hair cut very short in order to donate it to cancer victims.

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the afternoon was a memorial for Treena Feniak, the keynote speaker at the 2009 Engineering Head Shave event, who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer only two months later.

As usual this year’s event spanned a range of emotions from playful to heartbreaking. It also demonstrated that engineering students at the U of A are happy to donate their time, money and even hair to cancer research.