Dowsing the flames of cancer

Photos by Chris Simon Several members of the Innisfil Fire and Rescue Service shaved their heads, while members of the community received less drastic cuts, during a fundraiser at Mainstreet Hair and Tan Sunday. About $1,750 was raised. You'll have to excuse the bright gleam coming from Innisfil Fire Service's Alcona branch over the next few weeks.

Many of the volunteer firefighters at the branch lent their support for a cancer fighting cause, by shaving their heads during a fundraiser at Mainstreet Hair and Tan Sunday. For several hours, staff at the salon gave haircuts, hosted a barbecue, and held a draw for various prizes.

In total, the event raised $1,750 for a team of firefighters participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 200-kilometre bike ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The event, which will take place June 20 to 22, will raise money for cancer research at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

It's a fresh issue for Alcona firefighters. Late last year, comrade Craig Hofland was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a common type of plasma cell cancer.

"It's been going pretty well, I've had one bout with chemotherapy," he said, standing in the salon, discussing his various treatments. "They've (also) collected stem cells form me, now it's just a matter of waiting until there's a bed available at Princess Margaret. Then they'll put them back in. I'll be in Princess Margaret for two or three weeks, then it'll be home for recovery."

Hofland says his treatment is going well. And support from the community and fellow firefighters is encouragement for his recovery.

The event is a key fundraiser for the firefighters. The four person team must collect over $10,000 in pledges to participate in the ride.

"It's great to see how the public stands behind you," he said. "It's the very first (Ride to Conquer Cancer); it's another fundraiser. There was no problem funding riders. The line-up was unbelievable."

Mainstreet owner Darryl Nicholson is also a firefighter in Alcona. He's glad to see the large turnout for the riders.

"We just thought we'd try to get a lump sum," he said. "Four guys decided to jump into the ride, and we're just supporting them. As a business owner, I'm trying to support them. They're all showing how valuable of a day this is to them, and what their fellow firefighter means.

"We're standing right behind him."

For more information on the event, or to donate, visit www.conquercancer.ca.