Optimist carrier Ayla Keen has a delivery to make and this time it’s for a special cause instead of her regular Thursday route in Tsawwassen.
The 10-year-old convinced her aunts Sharisse and Sarah to join her in getting their hair cut for Wigs for Kids B.C.
It’s a volunteer-run organization that provides funding to cover the cost of custom-made human-hair wigs for children and teens at B.C. Children’s Hospital who have suffered hair loss due to cancer treatment or other serious illnesses.
Ayla had wanted to do something since the fall after losing a close family member to cancer.
“My great aunt had cancer and passed away in August and then one of my sister’s coaches had cancer too. I just wanted to do something,” said the Grade 5 student at South Park Elementary, who had not cut her hair for two years.
The big day finally arrived last Wednesday (April 6) where Ayla and her aunts were taken care of by the staff at Bobby Pinze Beauty Parlour at Tsawwassen Commons. Each had about 25 centimetres lopped off, which is the minimum length required for the Wigs for Kids program. It takes 10 donated ponytails to make just one wig.
The hair donation was just part of Ayla and her aunts’ campaign. They also wanted to raise at least $600 for B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation that would cover the cost to produce one wig. The support has been beyond what they imagined with more than $2,100 raised so far. Donations can still be made on the BCCHF Super Heroes website.
“Cancer has directly affected our family too many times. After watching (my sister) deal with the side effects of cancer treatments, Ayla decided she would like to donate her long locks,” said her proud grandmother Vicki Bowker. “I am just so impressed with this 10-year-old and her heart to reach out and do something significant.”
