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‘It’s just hair:’ Central Saanich woman chops her locks for Wigs for Kids

Wigs for Kids BC will receive two 12-inch braids from Brentwood Bay resident Liza Glynn
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Helen Weathered of Hair Flair in Brentwood Bay takes the scissors to Liza Glynn’s last bit of hair which she cut to donate to Wigs for Kids BC. (Kristyn Anthony/News staff)

As the last slice of the scissor chopped Liza Glynn’s thick, curly, dark hair her face emoted a mix of apprehension and excitement.

“I have this Armenian hair,” the Brentwood Bay resident says. “Imagine a little kid with my curly hair.”

Glynn found herself at Hair Flair back in the hands of stylist Helen Weathered in the hope of spreading just a little joy as she bid farewell to two 12-inch braids she will donate to Wigs for Kids BC.

The organization relies on donations of hair to provide free wigs for children across the province dealing with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Helen Weathered shows off the 12-inch braid she cut from Liza Glynn's hair as Glynn's son Tenney looks on. (Kristyn Anthony/News staff)

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For Glynn it was a no-brainer: “If I can bring someone some happiness – why wouldn’t I do that?”

Flanked by her son Tenney, Glynn kept her eyes open as Weathered cut through layers of hair that hadn’t seen so much as a trim since July of 2015.

After raising close to $1,000 and shaving her head bald back in 2012 for Cops for Cancer, this haircut was much easier. After all, Glynn says, it’s only hair.

For the next few weeks the Brentwood Bay Emporium (7103 West Saanich Rd.) has a donation box out on Glynn’s behalf for cash donations.

Wigs for Kids still accepts both hair and money donations. As of Dec. 31, 2018 the Canadian Cancer Society stopped accepting hair, making the switch to synthetic wigs which can be less expensive for patients. In B.C. however, donations of clean, undyed, healthy hair are still in demand.

RELATED: Canadian Cancer Society stops accepting donations

Liza Glynn's son Tenney holds the freshly chopped 12-inch braids Glynn will donate to Wigs for Kids BC. (Kristyn Anthony/News staff)

At Hair Flair, Glynn is one of a few heads that have come in for the big chop; despite being a client of Weathered’s for nearly two decades, they don’t see each other often.

“She pops in and out and I play with [her hair] once in a while,” Weathered says, putting the finishing touches on a freshly coiffed layered bob, offering Glynn tips on how to style her new shorter hair.

Liza Glynn shows off her new shorter 'do while her son Tenney holds the remnants of her old style. (Kristyn Anthony/News staff)

Tenney smiles as he takes in his mother’s new look, remembering how last time it was a much closer shave. “This isn’t as dramatic of a change,” he says.

A smile spreads across Glynn’s face as well – it is hard to tell if it’s because of the new cut or because of what chopping her locks will mean for someone she will likely never know.

Regardless, she says: “It feels amazing. I feel like a different person.”


@kristyn_anthony
kristyn.anthony@blackpress.ca

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