Michael's Hair Design & Day Spa 40 in 40 Fundraiser

April is oral cancer awareness month and we are celebrating the Anniversary of Michael’s Hair Design & Day Spa’s 40 in 40 Fundraiser for Head and Neck Cancer! In 2014, after oral cancer surgery, and while on chemo and radiation treatments, Michael started the 40 in 40 fundraiser to raise money and awareness for head and neck cancer.

His efforts were supported by family, friends, & over 60 hair salons. They helped sell tickets, as well as gathered donations from many local businesses.Seventeen of those salons graciously participated in a "Finale Hair Show Event", which was held at the CLE on April 25th, 2014, and was attended by over 2000 people. There were various entertainers, and our colleague & friend from Wella (@wellacanadawest), Stephen Lomas, who flew all the way from Vancouver to volunteer as the MC.

Each salon represented an era and showcased hairstyles and fashions from each era. Michael and his team closed the show with futuristic styles. It was fitting for Michael to represent the future, given that his goal was to provide hope for those who were going through, or will go through this type of cancer in the future. You can see clips of this event on our website, michaelshairdesign.com, or on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Michael aimed to raise $40,000 in the 40 days leading up to and including the final event. This goal was surpassed & more than doubled! Almost $90,000 was raised and donated to our local Cancer Centre, and was enough to open a Head and Neck Cancer Treatment Room in the Cancer Centre. Donations continued, even past the event, and now total over $100,000.

Later that year, Michael was honoured to receive the Hairdressers at Heart, @hairatheart, Wella Charity Challenge Award. Michael was grateful & overwhelmed, but not surprised, by how our community of hairdressers and other businesses came together to support a local effort.

Donations are still accepted at https://www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/40in40. Your contribution will continue the work of 7 years ago, giving hope and improving cancer care for your loved ones, here in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario.