Volunteer firefighters head up Terry Fox fundraiser

Clayton Syfchuck didn’t have big plans in mind when he started to grow out his hair, other than tapping into the  “surfer” look from his high school days.

Then someone suggested he donate his hair and he mulled over whether he had the patience to let it grow long enough. Charitable wig-making organizations generally require a minimum eight or 10-inch donation. 

The months rolled on and the fire technician got used to being referred to as “Sister Sarah” by his colleagues for wearing a balaclava under his hard hat to keep his hair from getting singed. 

Next came plans for a head shave fundraiser with the volunteer fire brigade, and the coworkers who had given Syfchuck a hard time about his ponytail quickly changed their tune. 

They convinced him to hold off on shaving his head until Sept. 12, when a group of 10 Jasper volunteer firefighters and five Parks Canada wildland firefighters will go under the razor to collect money as part of the Great Canadian Head Shave for the Terry Fox Foundation.

After two years of growing Syfchuck now has the necessary 8 inches of hair from scalp to tip, so he’s going to both help collect pledges for the Great Canadian Head Shave and send the sheared hair to an organization that makes wigs for cancer victims.

What started out as a lark became something much more meaningful as it occurred to him how many people’s lives are touched by the disease. Syfchuck’s own grandmother passed away last Spring from nonmalignant cancer. 

Though finding ways to keep his hair from falling in his face was irritating, Syfchuck realized it was nothing compared to what cancer patients go through. “If people have to go through chemotherapy and the worst I have to deal with is a sweaty head, I can do it,” he said.

Organizer and fellow volunteer firefighter Jeff Keogan said besides raising money, the main focus of the head shave is awareness or education. “It’s kind of a visual reminder of what cancer can do,” he said.

Now that plans are rolling Keogan’s surprised by the support he’s seen. “I actually got more volunteers than I thought I was going to get,” he said. “Nava Hair has agreed to offer their services, and we would certainly appreciate an audience.”

To sponsor the Jasper volunteer fire brigade online, visit www.terryfoxrun.org/english/corporate/company/find/ and type “Jasper” into the search field then follow the links. The head shave will take place Sept. 12 at the emergency services building from 3 -5 p.m.