Auxiliary Cadets shaving their lids for kids

Five Calgary Police Service Auxiliary Cadets shaved their heads at lunch today to raise money for Kids Cancer Care as part of the Shave Your Lid for a Kid® campaign. It is the second year that Auxiliary Cadets have lost their hair to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, treatment and education.

The five young men decided to support the children’s cancer charity because three of them know kids who have been supported by the organization during battles with cancer.

“We wanted to give back to the community while also showing kids who are affected by cancer that they are not alone,” says Auxiliary Cadet Conor Fitzgerald. “These kids are so young but are often also so strong, and I want to help make sure they get the chance reach their future goals.”

The group set the goal of raising $1,000 from friends and colleagues in the Auxiliary Cadet program and so far they have exceeded that goal by almost $300. Shave Your Lid for a Kid® is a grassroots fundraising initiative involving hundreds of Albertans each year that has raised more than $10 million for Kids Cancer Care since its inception in 1998.

“All members of the Calgary Police Service are encouraged to get involved in our community and look for causes to support outside of work,” says Sergeant Paul Cuthill, with the Calgary Police Service Youth Mentorship Team. “We try to instill these same ideals in our Auxiliary Cadets and it’s nice to see these young people taking that to heart.”

Every year in Alberta, over 160 children are diagnosed with cancer and are thrust into stormy waters, where they will feel alone and frightened. Kids Cancer Care strives to ease the pain and suffering of these children and their families every day by providing funding and programming in three key areas: research and hospital; education support and scholarships; and camp and outreach programs.

The Auxiliary Cadet program was started by the Calgary Police Service three years ago as a way to help young people bridge into a career as a police officer, and to help police better serve the public. It is designed for individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 that have an interest in a policing career, but it is open to anyone.

More information on Kids Cancer Care and other future Shave Your Lid for a Kid® events can be found at kidscancercare.ab.ca.