A number of connections of Glenbow Elementary School will be rocking a new bald look following the school’s second annual Shave Your Lid for a Kid event and fundraiser April 19.
Inspiring this year’s event is Grade 1 student Paxton Carroll, who is currently undergoing treatment for his cancer diagnosis, said Andrew Doyle, a Grade 3 teacher at the school.
Carroll was diagnosed with stage four Burkitt’s lymphoma in February. The cancer is highly aggressive, said his mother Angela Schmidt, but luckily very treatable.
“I’m doing this completely for him,” said Schmidt, who will be shaving her head at the event. “I’ve had so much given to me and given to him — this is my way of paying it forward.”
“Paxton thinks I’m a little crazy,” she added with a laugh.
Carroll will be Skyped in for the fundraiser, which will see five teachers go under the razor, in addition to his mother.
Proceeds from the event will go to Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, an organization that helps young people affected by cancer and their families.
According to the website, the charitable group provides funding and programs for four areas: camps and community, pediatric oncology research, clinical support and the Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“Until my son had cancer, I didn’t have any idea that these events and this group existed,” said Schmidt about the work of the organizer. “They do such great things for kids with cancer and their families. I’m hoping this will raise awareness for this group within the non-cancer community.”
Schmidt has set a personal fundraising goal of $4,000. The Glenbow group goal of $1,000 has already been surpassed.
Doyle said last year’s event — which was inspired by Christian Crowell — raised about $1,500. Christian was a five-year-old Airdrie boy who died on Jan. 14, 2013 after fighting Rhabdomyosarcoma. (christiansfight.blogspot. ca).
Donations for the Glenbow Elementary School’s Shave Your Lid For A Kid can be made online at kidscancercare.ab.ca, or made in-person at the April 19 event. The fundraiser will run from 1-2 p.m. in the school gym.
