Bluey Day Month: Ordinary people making an extraordinary impact
For 27 years, Bluey Day has seen over a thousand North Peace area residents, grow their hair longer, collect pledges from fellow residents, and ultimately shave their heads to support the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s Cancer and Diagnostic Treatment Fund.
Their efforts have raised more than $2.5 million, money which stays in the community. The Fund supports access to early screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, ensuring local patients have the same access to care as people in larger centres, all while remaining in their community surrounded by their families and friends.
By having access to healthcare in their home community, stress and travel costs for families are reduced, while the improved diagnostics reduces strains on emergency services. These investments also help keep health professionals in the North Peace.
Over the years, participants of all ages have come together each May to have their heads shaved to help others in the community. Some, like Kelly Fell who has raised some $105,000 over many years, keep coming back time and time again.
“It reminds us that making a difference doesn’t require anything extraordinary, just the willingness to step forward,” Emily Olson, Community Giving and Event Coordinator with the FSJ Hospital Foundation said.
Olson pointed out some of the dedicated people who have spent years growing out their hair to donate on May 23, including Catherin with the City of Fort St. John, and Dexter, a Grade 8 student who has spent the last three years growing his hair out “so he can be brave and shave.”
To see follow the stories of the participants, Olson encouraged the public to follow the FSJ Hospital Foundation on social media.
The Foundation hopes to see 50 participants this year and raise $100,000. For more information about the FSJ Hospital Foundation check out their Facebook page or website.