Community outreach team
Ritam Patel
Community Outreach Executive
Until recently, I believed my life to be completely detached from cases of cancer. Every year during my school’s Terry Fox run, I never had anyone specific I was running for – how could I when I never knew anyone that had been affected? As such, it was a shock to find out that my family has a history of cancer on my father’s side. While the people affected were those I never knew, they were still family. Moreover, I now know that the risk of being diagnosed with the condition myself is that much greater, and the inevitable countdown on my life has become that much more real.
While cancer is widespread amongst Canadians, there are still many strands with no known cure, and 80,000 Canadians stand to lose their lives this year alone. It is far past time to change that. Locks for Cancer provides an up close and personal method of making a true difference in the lives of others and the student-led nature of the organization makes the problem seem combatable. Research is something the war against cancer desperately needs, and fighting for the cause is something this council can allow youth to do.
Azhar Hamid
Community Outreach Executive
Cancer terrifies me. It’s not like any other disease in that it can affect literally anybody. No matter who you are, no matter how healthy you are, cancer can strike. I’ve had a lot of close friends and family succumb to a disease, but there are few diseases that can deliver an initial shock like cancer can. From having to wear a wig for the first time to having to tell your own children you might not be here tomorrow, cancer can shatter one’s whole world in an instant.
In spite of all the turmoil and damage that cancer causes, it has taught me one thing. The importance of time. Locks for Cancer is not like other organizations in that it is geared around youth involvement. I am proud to be a part of this team and I’m eager to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been affected by cancer.
Asad Mangla
Communications
Cancer is a disease that has dreadful effects on both an individual’s physical and mental health. Although we often partake in events dedicated to raising money for cancer research, we often overlook the effect it can have on one’s mental health. As a result of chemotherapy treatment, patients lose their hair and with it their self-esteem. They are uncomfortable in public places as they feel that their hair loss conveys that they have cancer. I believe that no patient fighting this disease should have to worry about their appearance in a public setting. Locks for Cancer is a great solution to these challenges as it can help cancer patients regain their self-confidence through the hair donation program. I am excited to be part of this organization and look forward to bringing positive change!
Michelle Zhang
Entertainment
I want to be a member of Locks for Cancer because in my life, I have a friend whose father is battling cancer, and after hearing her talk about it, I learned firsthand how negatively cancer can impact your life. I already volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society during summers, but I knew that I needed to find more opportunities to get involved, and when I heard about Locks for Cancer, I decided I had to apply. I want to inspire others to become part of this movement, to be aware of the difference you can make by donating hair and to fight cancer together!
Wen Zhang
Fundraiser
If there’s anything I have learned about cancer, it is that it’s very real. In my life, I’ve met many people who have gone through some type of cancer struggle. Personally, my grandfather died from cancer when I was still in elementary school. Many of my friends’ parents have struggled with cancers of all kinds. Above all, it makes people feel weak and powerless. To have that last bit of identity stripped away from you by chemotherapy is something truly difficult most cancer patients have to deal with, which is where Locks for Cancer comes in. Hair donation is about much more than outward appearance. It is about reinforcing a positive mindset and confidence. It is about providing a community of support for those fighting their own battles. Ultimately, it is about educating and understanding how we, as individuals, can provide direct encouragement to those who need it the most.
Nandini Jain
Fundraiser
I had been looking for clubs that are meaningful and take part in making Canada a great place to live. Being a part of Locks For Cancer has brought me one step closer to learning more about the difficulties about the cancer patients, and thus assisting in providing more hope to cancer patients and their families. Knowing someone close to you who has had cancer can be a tough situation which only a few can understand, and I will always remember my friend’s fighting spirit and how happy she always was. Being a part of Locks For Cancer brings back these good memories and helps fuel the fire to my goal of trying to bring a smile to every face possible.