Half an inch.
That’s all that stood between 14-year-old Innisfail resident Kevin Barnes and his dream of donating his hair to provide wigs for cancer victims two years ago.
“Ever since I’ve grown it out,” he said, his long brown hair curling around his face. “It should be long enough now.”
Barnes, a grade 8 student at Innisfail Junior Senior High School (IHS), will try again later this month. And with his hair’s length at just over 14 inches, he won’t be disappointed the second time around.
“I just felt like doing it,” the soft-spoken teen said when asked why he has decided to donate his hair, which will be used to make a wig for cancer patients going through chemotherapy.
Barnes is also raising money for the Battle River Trail Ride for STARS, a charity horse ride through the scenic Battle River Valley that raises money for Alberta’s air ambulance service. Barnes’ grandparents, who live in Castor, set up the event in 2009. Last year it raised over $7,500.
Barnes’ mother, Irene, said STARS plays a huge role in east-central Alberta, where hospitals have limited resources and are a great distance apart.
Both Irene and Rick, Kevin’s father, have encouraged him to learn how to ride a horse to assist his grandparents’ charitable endeavour. Rick will also be joining his son for the ride.
“I’m very proud of him,” Rick said. “My mom had cancer, I lost an aunt and uncle who were married to cancer.”
“It’s kind of a double fundraiser for (Kevin),” Irene added, explaining he has raised approximately $200 towards his fundraising goal of $1000.
“It’s kind of hard to raise funds in a town that’s not hosting the event, even though STARS is all over the province. It’s definitely something that Innisfail has used.”
The fundraising ride will be held in Castor on June 17 and 18 and features a legends of country music concert on the Friday evening at the Castor Community Hall.
“I guess this is just our small contribution,” Irene said. “I’m glad that we can help two charities at once. Cancer has affected many people and even though Kevin might not know any of them personally they have affected his family.”
While admitting he has grown to like having long hair, Kevin said it starting to get a little too long for his liking.
“It makes me feel like I’ve done something good for someone I don’t know,” he said.
Irene said Kevin’s reward will be having short hair again. To ensure it is accepted for use in a wig, she said the family is looking for a hairdresser with knowledge of the program to cut Kevin’s hair sometime after the charity ride.
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “He’s always been wanting to donate his hair … the last time he was very disappointed that his hair was just that much too short. So we’re very proud that he’s reached his goal.”
Donation cans are currently set up to collect loose change at IHS as well as École John Wilson Elementary School, Primerica, the Innisfail Province office, the Red Deer CO-OP Plaza and Deer Park Bakeries.
Donations can also be made online at http://foundation.stars.ca/battlerivertrailride. Any donations of $10 or more will receive a tax receipt.
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Irene said she threw her support behind her son.
“I’m very proud of him,” she said. “I support him 100 per cent.”
Irene’s co-workers and employer at the Red Deer CO-OP have donated a slab cake for the STARS event.
“They’re very supportive,” she said.
“I’m very proud of him,” his father Rick said.
KEVIN
Irene said the family is looking for a local hairstylist to cut the hair
“It has to be tied properly – 10 inches from end to end.”
Will shave his head after the event.
