Sudbury woman shedding locks for love

Karen Yawney said when she heard the story of a young girl related to a friend of hers who lost her “cute little pigtails” because of cancer treatments, she was inspired to do something to help.

The Sudbury woman decided she'd cut off her long, blonde hair and donate it to Locks of Love to be made into a wig for cancer patients.

But that's not all — once her hair is cut off at Talk of the Town Hair Factory and Spa Jan. 31, she's also having her head shaved bald.

Yawney, a wine agent who sells products to the LCBO across Northern Ontario, said many people ask her why she wouldn't just get a short haircut after donating her hair.

She said she wants to create awareness about what those receiving cancer treatments go through.

“These kids that are going through treatments and losing their hair, and they don't have a choice in the matter,” she said. “They can't just choose to just get a short haircut.”

Besides losing a lot of hair, Yawney is also looking to raise $10,000 for the Northern Cancer Foundation, to benefit the Northeast Cancer Centre's pediatric oncology program.

She said she likes the fact she's helping her fellow northerners.

“Everybody keeps asking, are you nervous about shaving your head?” Yawney said. “I said 'no, I'm nervous about not reaching my goal.'”

To donate, visit www.canadahelps.org, enter Northern Cancer Foundation in the search bar, and find Karen for Kids with Cancer under the drop down menu.