Almost 30 years ago, Canada lost one its most revered heroes. Terry Fox lost his battle to cancer only nine months after running 5373 kilometres in support of cancer research. While Canada may have lost a hero, it inspire a new mission that has since become a yearly ritual.

The Terry Fox Foundation presents The Great Canadian Hair Do, a nationwide challenge to the public to “do” what you can to raise funds prior to The Terry Fox Run on September 19th.

Kelsey Riecken of the Terry Fox Foundation is very excited about this project. “When Terry recognized that he would not be able to complete his Marathon, he instead bequeathed his mission to those very Canadian’s who kept him going day in and day out.”

It was Terry who saw the potential in his supporters, when he said, “When I ran through the Sparks Street Mall, the road was narrow yet people were running behind me and all these other people were lined up clapping for me. I was floating through the air and didn’t even feel a thing. I felt so great, that type of memory you can never take away.”

For those unfamiliar with the story of Terry Fox, a brief history is outlined on The Terry Fox Foundation’s website.

To date, close to $500 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.  But running is not the only way to support his mission.  The Great Canadian Hair Do offers other options.

“Don’t split hairs over this one,” says Riecken. “Shave participants can choose to lose their locks, beard, or moustache for pledges. Those of you with eight inches of untreated hair, consider having your long tresses made into wigs and hairpieces for those that have lost their hair to illness.”

She even encourages participants to collect pledges for waxing “down there,” wherever that may mean for you. “As an added bonus, it will be cooler in the summer without all that extra hair.”

It is easy to register your own Hair Do fundraiser. Simply visit the Terry Fox Foundation website for more information and tips on how to organize your own event.