MaRSians take it off for cancer research

MaRSians take it off for cancer research

Last week the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) partnered with The Terry Fox Foundation to host their annual fundraising event, the Terry Fox Great Canadian Hair “Do” at the MaRS Centre.

The Terry Fox Foundation is a charitable organization that raises funds for cancer research. It is founded on the dreams of one of Canada’s greatest heroes, Terry Fox, who led his Marathon of Hope fundraiser in 1980, attempting to run across Canada with a goal of raising $1 for every Canadian. Terry’s goal was achieved in February of 1981 when he raised $24.17 million. He passed away soon after, in June of that year, but his dream of finding a cure for cancer continues on. More than $600 million has been raised globally in Terry’s name for cancer research.

The Terry Fox Foundation’s Great Canadian Hair “Do” events are fundraisers where participants solicit donations for the cause, then shave their heads, temporarily dye their hair or donate their locks to be made into wigs for those who have lost their hair to illness. At last week’s event, Dr. Tom Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the OICR, had his head shaved, along with a few MaRSians, MaRS Centre Operations staff members and other MaRS Centre tenants.

Ted Fox, Terry Fox’s brother, was present and cheering the MaRS team along with everyone else as they got their heads shaved and their hair dyed and styled into mohawks. In total, the MaRS team raised $4,217.54 for the Terry Fox Foundation, which will go toward funding innovative and progressive cancer research programs.

If you missed the event, check out this video as well as the before and after shots of the MaRS team on MaRS’ Flickr page.