Woman to cut hair for cancer

FORT FRANCES—Although she’s never been significantly impacted by cancer, Tania Cox (nee Angus) of Fort Frances is going to shave off all 18 inches of her hair next month in honour of all cancer sufferers and survivors.
“I’ve been thinking about it since last year,” Cox said, noting she recently contacted Celeste’s Hair Design on Scott Street, who agreed to partner with her to hold a “Cuts for Cancer” during Mall Days in conjunction with Fun in the Sun activities in late June.
“My cause has always been breast cancer. I’m not sure why,” Cox remarked. “I know many people who have been affected by cancer, so I’m taking a proactive approach.”
She noted her grandparents passed away from cancer, but that was before she was born. And her great aunt recently discovered a lump, but currently is doing just fine.
“I guess that got me sparked to do the ‘Cuts for Cancer,’” Cox conceded. “Everyone knows someone with cancer.”
In the last three years, Cox hasn’t had more than a trim on her long blonde hair.
“I wasn’t growing it especially for this. I just didn’t know what to do with it until now,” she explained. “I have a lot of hair and it needs to be cut.”
But Cox admitted she’s nervous about buzzing if all off.
“I’m scared,” she said. “But at the same time, it’s for such a good cause that I know it’s worth it . . . it’s just hair.”
However, she noted some of her family and friends don’t want her to shave her head and have offered to give her money if she doesn’t do it.
“I told them it’s not even an option,” she stressed. “And some people don’t think I’m going to do it. They don’t believe me. But I’m doing it.”
Cox has a goal of raising $2,000 through pledges and donations through the “Cuts for Cancer,” and she’s hoping Rainy River District will support her efforts.
“People can donate or come out and get buzzed right alongside of me,” she noted, adding she believes $2,000 is a realistic goal because so many people have been affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly.
“I think it’ll be easier to [cut my hair] if I reach my goal and know I’m going to be a big help,” Cox added.
The local branch of the Royal Bank will be selling pink ribbons, with proceeds going towards the “Cuts for Cancer.” It also will have pledge forms on hand for those interested in supporting Cox’s efforts.
Pledge forms also will be available at Wilson’s Business Solutions, Celeste’s Hair Design, and from Cox, who can be reached at 274-0309 or tania.cox@hotmail.com
Cox stressed all funds raised will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.
“I want to keep some of the proceeds local,” she remarked. “There’s a high concentration of cancer around here.”
She also said people are welcome to join her in the “Cuts for Cancer” and have their heads shaved, too.
“It would be nice not to be alone up there,” she noted. “And it would be great to bring in even more money for the cause.”
“Cuts for Cancer” will take place on the afternoon of June 27 outside Celeste’s Hair Design.
(Fort Frances Times)