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Head shave to benefit young adults with cancer

On Nov. 22 Kate Hergott will lose her lovely locks in support of a friend who has faced breast cancer through a solo Shave for the Brave event- - a Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) fundraiser.

On Nov. 22 Kate Hergott will lose her lovely locks in support of a friend who has faced breast cancer through a solo Shave for the Brave event- - a Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) fundraiser.

Hergott's hair will be made into a wig for a cancer patient in need and she's hoping to raise a few thousand dollars for retreat programs offered through YACC as well.

"When I officially decided that I wanted to shave my head, I emailed Ashley [Doyle] (she was one of my dad's chemo buddies when he was going through treatment), because I knew that she would lead me in the right direction," Hergott said.

"She mentioned YACC and how they provide programs for young adults with cancer such as retreats like the one she went to in the past year. I knew that she would be knowledgeable on the subject, so I felt like it was the right decision for me. I know that YACC has made a big difference in her life, so I wanted to support the cause."

Hergott's friend Doyle is a young adult who has been going through treatment for stage two breast cancer for almost two years.

Doyle was moved by Hergott's decision to take part in a solo Shave for the Brave event.

"I think it's awesome. I think it's such a kind and generous act that she's doing, to be able to give someone a wig, that's just amazing," Doyle said, adding that raising money for cancer patients to attend YACC retreats is important as well.

Doyle attended a YACC retreat in Alberta in April.

"Basically you just get to connect with people who are in the same boat as you, they're your age and they understand all the challenges that you face as a young adult going through cancer," she said. "Your regular friends and peers don't really understand, so to go to something like these retreats, it's almost like a sense of normalcy for the first time."

Hergott is showing her support of Doyle and trying to help others through her Shave for the Brave event on Nov. 22.

She has donation jars out at Strait Coffee in Wilson Creek (where she works) and at Valhalla Strength and Conditioning in Sechelt to try to raise as much money as possible before the big day.

Between the donation jars and online givers at http://yacc.convio.net/goto/katehergott, Hergott has raised over $1,300 so far. Her original target was $1,000 but now she's set her sights much higher.

"If I reach $5,000, the chef at work will shave her head as well and my boss will shave his beard," she noted.

The public is invited to come to Hergott's Shave for the Brave event at Strait Coffee on Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. Donations will be accepted until the shears cut through her first strand of hair.