For longtime Whistler barber Amanda Stocks, owner of the Blackcomb Barber Shoppe, the battle against cancer is a personal one.
“My father passed away early at 55, my uncle was only 65, and they both had cancer,” said Stocks, who has been cutting hair in Whistler for 28 years.
Given her family’s connection to the cause, it’s no surprise Stocks has been a part of annual cancer fundraiser Balding for Dollars since it launched in Whistler 20 years ago.
“My stepfather passed away five years ago. He made $100 [for Balding for Dollars] and got his head shaved, and passed that year. Now my boyfriend has prostate cancer, so I’m almost tempted to shave my head,” she said.
What’s stopping her? A high-school reunion planned for May.
“I’m tempted to show up like—I hate to say it—like G.I. Jane,” Stocks joked.
“It’s tempting to do it this year ... all my favourite men are passing away with cancer. It’s terrible.”
The 20th-anniversary edition of Balding for Dollars is set for April 10, with all proceeds going towards BC Children’s Hospital oncology wards.
The event is organized by local fundraising group Whistler Friends (Community Health and Welfare Society), and will be held in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic took it online in 2020.
“Being a part of making a difference in the lives of people we may never have met makes this event so special, particularly when kids are involved,” said Dave Clark, co-founder of Whistler Friends, in a release. “But it isn’t just for the kids. Our biggest number of participants are adults with both men and women going under the clippers to say ‘bald is beautiful’—this can take some courage and guts.”
This year’s event is dedicated to Whistler’s Al Paul, an avid Balding for Dollars fundraiser who lost his own battle with cancer in 2021.
In the 20 years the fundraiser has run in Whistler, more than $385,000 has been raised for the BC Children’s Hospital, while dozens of wigs have been fashioned out of the hair shaved from participants. This year, the goal is to raise $15,000 to pass the $400,000 mark.
One person that has helped achieve that goal is Rajan Das. Das has been doing the fundraiser every year since it began 20 years ago. Combined, he has raised a little over $17,000 dollars for the charity. His goal this year is to raise $3,000 dollars so he can hit $20,000 for the 20th anniversary.
“It’s been averaging about a thousand dollars a year these days. They’ve earmarked the fundraising for the donations for the children’s hospital through me,” Das said. “Personally, I think everybody looks good with a shaved head.”
After so many years participating in the event, it has become something of a tradition for Stock and the Blackcomb Barber Shoppe.
“I’ve had different people over the years from all over the world help me do it,” she said.
“It’s basically a donation day.”
This year’s event will take place in person at the Garibaldi Lift Co. from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. It will feature live music from The Hairfarmers, drink specials, a silent auction and plenty of head shaving.
Find more information at whistlerbaldingfordollars.com.
