Chris Leflufy is the community’s newest member of a popular and generous club.
The high school teacher recently became the latest South Cariboo resident to donate his locks to be made into wigs for cancer patients, after growing his hair out for a year and a half.
“It was actually a little surprising to hear how many people locally have done it,” Leflufy said, adding students, teachers and acquaintances had shared similar experiences of donating their hair in the weeks leading up to his big cut last Saturday. “It was really cool to hear about how many people in our community have also donated like this.”
Leflufy said he has been shaving his head since he was in high school but over the past several years, it occurred to him that it was a “bit of a waste” that his dark, curly locks would just be thrown out afterward.
“I was aware that donating your hair was a thing - my cousin did it over 20 years ago, and another friend of mine had done it as well,” he said.
His hair ended up being about nine inches long prior to having it shaved off this weekend. He joked that many friends his age “don’t have full heads of hair” and wouldn’t be able to offer such a donation, but he is grateful he was able to contribute.
He also raised more than $730 online and at the high school to donate to BC Children’s Hospital.
Leflufy said he and his family have been pretty fortunate to not have been affected directly by cancer, but he knows there are many families in the community who have not been so lucky.
“It’s something that everyone has a connection to one way or another,” he said. “I have friends and family who have gone through very difficult times, and have fought hard. I personally haven’t had that sort of experience, which I’m very grateful for.”
While Leflufy said he’s not sure if he will grow out his hair again - he said it was a “long time coming” to get to the needed length to donate - he said he’s glad he was able to do it once and hopes it makes a difference in someone’s life.
“Going through chemotherapy really takes a toll on folks,” he said. “So hopefully it’s one less thing for them to have to think about.”
melissa.smalley@100milefreepress.net
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