Steven Hill
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For many men, going bald is probably one of the worst things that could happen, but for Brian Thompson, losing his long blond locks is a tradition meant to honour others in his family.
Thompson, a graphic designer and freelance photographer, will be cutting off his beard and shoulder-length hair April 2 for Balding for Dollars, a charity benefiting the BC Children's Hospital.
"I do it every two years," explained Thompson. "It takes about two years to grow my hair this long."Thompson began his ritual six years ago, just after losing his father to cancer.
"I saw my dad go through all of it, and lose his hair from the treatments," said Thompson. "This was a way to honour him."Two years later, Thompson was getting his head shaved again, but this time for his grandfather, who also had just died from cancer.
"It has turned into a tradition," he said.
Thompson said it was indeed a change to go from having long hair to none at all."It's a bit weird," he said. "It feels very different."
Thompson also ensures his hair is saved after it is cut, so the locks can be made into a wig for a young cancer patient."Along with earning money, getting a wig made is the main reason I do this," he said. "That's why I wait two years, so I have long enough hair to be made into a wig."
Thompson, along with numerous other selfless local residents, will be at the Squamish Station Mall April 2 beginning at 11 a.m. for the annual Balding for Dollars event.
Participants have been collecting pledges for weeks, and will then be shorn by volunteer hairdressers from around town.Along with people getting their heads shaved for charity, Balding for Dollars will also feature some stellar entertainment, according to organizer Cindy Turner-Gulycz, who will also be shaving her head this year for the charity along with her husband and son.
"We have great music this year," she said.
Highlights of the event include performances by the Jocelyn Petit Band, featuring a local teenage fiddling sensation, the bluesy sounds of Fretworks, the Don Ross Secondary Jazz Band and Bluesberry Jam.
Rainbow the Clown will also be on hand to entertain children of all ages at the event.
Balding for Dollars runs April 2 at Squamish Station Mall beginning at 11 a.m.
