Male profs endure leg-waxing and shaved heads to support cancer campaign

Students and faculty at Vancouver Island University who shaved their heads, beards and moustaches may face a cooler winter but they have warmer hearts by supporting a worthwhile cause.

Tourism and Recreation Management professor Tom Delamere gave up his beard, moustache and full head of hair Thursday, Dec. 2 to support a student-driven campaign by the Malaspina Recreation and Tourism Association (MRTA) to raise funds for prostate cancer research.

The MRTA students raised over $3,000 to support the Movember campaign launched by Prostate Cancer Canada called “changing the face of men’s health.” Men across the country were encouraged to grow moustaches to raise awareness about prostate cancer.

Funds raised will be used for the development of programs related to awareness, public education, advocacy, support of those affected and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer.

MRTA members James Anderson and Chris Bryson, both Bachelor of Tourism Management students, spearheaded the on-campus fundraising campaign by organizing fundraisers, social events, and creating a website.

Two other male faculty members, Dan McDonald and Rob Ferguson, volunteered to have their legs waxed if the donation exceeded $2,200. Duane Weaver also agreed to shave his moustache for the cause.

“The students really embraced the challenge,” said Delamere, who’s had his facial hair since 1980. “I knew pretty quickly that it was a sure bet I’d be losing my hair.”

Anderson took the bet seriously but had exhausted his network of family and friends and topped out at around $400. “So I thought of creating a website called "mojames.com,” he explained. “It didn't have a very good ring to it though and that's when I thought of Tom.... ShaveTom.com. More people know Tom than me, and the domain name rhymes. So I approached Tom with the idea and much to my surprise he loved it.”

With the help from first-year digital media student Marissa Heise, Anderson created a webpage, with links to Twitter and Facebook.

“The website gained traction quickly and was spread amongst VIU faculty and students,” Anderson said. “I was very surprised when I started seeing Shavetom.com being shared amongst my friends. I kept pushing the website within my own network and it seemed to work. Donations started pouring in and I am proud to say that our team has now raised over $3,000.”

“The students should be commended for their effort and hard work,” said Delamere, sporting his new Kojak look. “It’s great to see them doing something positive for the community.”