On Sept. 16, Ucluelet’s BC Ambulance Unit Chief Rachelle Cole and Ocean Village Resort’s Dena Bruno will shave their heads to raise money for Cops for Cancer.
The sisters want to raise at least $10,000 over the next four weeks and, officially, challenge local ‘big fish’ living on the peninsula to join them in their efforts.
“The first on our list is her worship in each community. So, each mayor; Dianne St. Jacques in Ucluelet and Josie Osborne in Tofino,” said Cole.
“The next would be each fire chief, so Ted Eeftink and Brent Baker. Then, we want to go to the police; chief Sgt. Manzini and chief Sgt. Pebernat. And then Bill Craven of BC Ambulance…We want them to either go pink, or to shave, or to give money. Or to encourage others in the community to do one of those three things.”
Cole and Bruno, both third generation West Coasters, dyed their hair bright pink last week to draw attention to their fundraising initiative.
“This is just a feel good thing,” said Bruno, who raised $900 - 20 years ago for shaving her head.
Cole was obviously more attached to her locks.
“This is a huge deal to me. I was not willing to do this for $2,000,” said Cole.
“Simple luxuries that I take in a day, starting with number one, is a good hair day. Then a good bra and good mascara.”
Before publicly announcing their fundraising goal of $10,000, Cole secured donations from each member of her crew at BC Ambulance station 134.
“All crew have already committed to one Kilo guarantee as a donation or one shift. That’s pretty much 100 bucks.”
Ucluelet’s citizen of the year, Kristi Udell, has signed up to help manage social media and the fundraising page.
“It’s not just about these guys doing it for their own feel goods, but their sons are involved. So, they are teaching their sons to, not just think of themselves, but to think of others and to realize that they have roofs over their heads and healthy bodies and all the rest of that,” said Udell. “It’s teaching the next generation to think of others as well.”
Cole and Bruno’s seven-year-old sons, Bowden and Kingston, will also shave their heads for the charity at the Tour de Rock event in Ucluelet on Sept. 30. The sisters’ fundraising ambition comes from a genuine place, with a family member recently succumbing to cancer and several other family members battling the disease.
All the money raised will be split between local RCMP rider Marcel Midlane and guest riders from the BC Ambulance Service, Glen Polson and Ryan Hendren. Cash donations can be dropped off at Subtidal Adventures in Ucluelet and Ocean Village Resort in Tofino.
Black Press and The Westerly News are co-sponsors of the annual Tour de Rock fundraiser.
Help Rachelle & Dena fight back against cancer. MAKE A DONATION.