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Penticton Vees Fight Cancer night a hair raising event

Penticton RCMP officer, Vees superfan, Vees broadcaster and Penticton Fire Chief will get their heads shaved at the Oct. 26 game.
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Hair today gone next week. Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth of the Penticton RCMP has Jon Race in a hair lock to promote the Oct. 26 head shave during the Vees Fight Cancer Night at the South Okanagan Events Cenre. Along with Wrigglesworth and Race

Jon Race said the idea was just off the top of his head.

When the longtime super Penticton Vees fan, a permanent fixture in his top row, centre-ice seats with the stove pipe top hat, decided to cut his curly brown shoulder-length locks after seven years he decided to make it worthwhile.

Race, along with Penticton RCMP Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth,  Penticton Fire Chief Larry Watkinson and Vees director of broadcasting and media relations, Fraser Rodgers, will all have their heads shaved in the first intermission of the Oct. 26 BCHL game between Penticton and the Surrey Eagles at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

The four will be collectively trying to raise at least $1,000 which will go to the Canadian Cancer Society as part of the Vees Fight Cancer night.

“Cancer touches so many peoples lives and once I had a lot of hair it was a pretty easy decision as opposed to just throwing it away, just grow it a little longer and get some use out of it,” said Race whose hair will go to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program through the cancer society to be used to make wigs for those undergoing treatment. “We’ve all had friends with cancer and this is just a small part I could do.”

Race came to Fraser with the idea and according to the team’s broadcaster, he got on board immediately.

“So I decided to shave my head and go cold in the winter months for a great cause and I thought would be great to get a couple of recognizable figures in the community to take part as well,” said Rodgers. “I’ve had family members, friends who are currently fighting or are cancer survivors and think of them.”

Both Wrigglesworth and Watkinson were also quick to join.

“For me to shave my head is such a minor sacrifice compared to others who are impacted by cancer. If I can show my support in any way I’m certainly going to be there,” said Watkinson.

Wrigglesworth agreed: “My nephew lost his hair when he went through chemo and he’s a cancer survivor. It’s a show of support. Something public, something personal.”

For the month of October the Vees are wearing pink breast cancer awareness ribbons on the backs of their helmets.

Fans can donate on the team’s fundraising page at www.cancer.ca and search “VeesFightCancer” or make a donation at the game.