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Royal Bay student growing out locks for cancer

Luke Eilertsen to donate 16 inches of his hair to Wigs for Kids
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Eighteen-year-old Luke Eilertsen has been growing his hair for the past three years. In May, the Royal Bay student will be chopping off and donating his locks to Wigs for Kids at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. He is also raising funds for the B.C. Cancer Agency. (Kendra Wong/News Gazette staff)

Luke Eilertsen is used to turning heads.

For the past three years the Royal Bay student has been growing out his hair in support of the B.C. Cancer Agency.

“I’ve definitely gotten some remarks,” laughed the 18-year-old.

It all started three years ago, when Eilertsen’s grandpa wasdiagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that develops when there is a buildup of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. There is no cure, but there are treatments available that can help slow the process.

Eilertsen, who had always been close to his grandpa, was devastated when he learned of the diagnosis.

But instead of letting it get him down, he decided to turn it into something positive. That’s when he decided to grow out his hair.

Over the past few years, Eilertsen’s locks have become a labour of love. He’s received advice from his mom and sister about proper hair care and has gone through plenty of elastics, trying to tie up his mane for volleyball practices.

While the last three years have been a journey, with a few naysayers here and there, Eilertsen admits he’s looking forward to chopping off roughly 16 inches of his hair next month and donating it to Wigs for Kids. The organization provides wigs to children and teenagers who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or another serious illness, at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

“It’s tough for the kids. They’re going through these treatments and they have all these health issues. In today’s society, people focus a lot on appearance and it can be a big self-esteem thing,” Eilertsen said. “It’s a way I can help … It’s going to a good place.”

So far, he’s raised more than $1,200 of his $2,000 goal, which will be donated to the cancer agency in Victoria, specifically for family and patient care.

For more information or to donate to Eilertsen’s campaign visit donate.bccancerfoundation.com/goto/lukeslocks.

kendra.wong@goldstream

gazette.com