Sacred Heart Academy held its annual Terry Fox Run on Thursday (Sept. 26) and before the event teacher Genevieve Volk shaved her head for a cause.
Hundreds of students were inside the gym of Holy Cross Collegiate to watch the shaving, while some of the top-earning kids for their Terry Fox fundraiser had the opportunity to cut Volk's ponytails off.
"I think it's what we're here to do. We're a catholic school, and we're here to give to other people," said Volk. "The students are all supportive and encouraging."
As her hair was shaved, the crowd of students shouted chants of support, including 'She is courageous', 'She has heart', and 'She is a light'.
Volk was first inspired to shave her head at the age of 19 after her neighbour was diagnosed with cancer. Her mother was also impacted by liver cancer before passing away five years ago.
"That's my big push this year," added Volk. "It's just in support of my mom and everyone's challenge with cancer."
The school raised over $6,000 through the fundraiser, with the crowd of children roaring with applause as the last long lock of Volk's hair was shaved off.
According to Volk, her hair will be used at Wigs for Kids, an Ontario-based organization that provides wigs to children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy, alopecia, burns, and other medical reasons.
"I hunted for something that was in Canada, and I found Wigs for Kids back when I was 25."
This is the fourth time that Volk has shaved her head in support of people battling cancer. Following the shaving, the kids began their Terry Fox Run in Kinsmen Park.