Kelowna

"Someone out there needs my hair more than I do."

Photo: Grant Scott

The Kiehlbauch family, including Abby (with plaque) are joined by Sally Ginter (R) of the Canadian Cancer Society after the cheque presentation.

That's an unusual sentiment to hear from a child who just turned 10 years-old.

But Abby Kiehlbauch is not your average child.

The grade 4 student at Casorso Elementary School has been a crusader against cancer since she was in grade one and first heard the story of Terry Fox.

The legacy left behind by Fox influenced Abby to join the fight.

"I've always wanted to do it," says Abby. "Two years ago I cut my hair for cancer, and when I found out it was long enough (again), I decided to do something different."

So Abby and her family decided to create a campaign which would also raise money as well as see her hair donated to make wigs for cancer patients who have lost theirs through the rigorous treatment so many patients face.

Setting a goal of $500, the Kiehlbauch's created a website to accept donations and used cyber-space to get the word out.

"After we made the website, I wrote an email and my mom sent it to all her friends and family and sent the link to them so they could go to my webpage and donate," says Abby.

And donate they did. In just two weeks, the campaign received over $2,500. On Thursday, February 2, Abby turned that money over to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Photo: Grant Scott

Mme. Duncan's grade 4 class at Casorso Elementary School received a lesson in helping others Thursday morning.

"We're very proud of her," says Abby's mother, Andrea. "She's showing that no matter how young you are, you can make a difference. She created most of that webpage herself and she wrote the letter. She was nervous about whether people would support her, but she was just overwhelmed in the end by how much support she received."

That support made it even easier for her to allow two years worth of hair to be cut off and made into wigs.

Thursday morning Abby, minus her shoulder length hair, stood in front of her classmates in Mme Lise Duncan's class and presented a cheque for $2,545 to Sally Ginter, Regional Director, Canadian Cancer Society.

"It's extremely inspiring to see someone of Abby's age take on this kind of initiative and really have a thorough understanding of how her actions can positively impact our fight against cancer," says Ginter.  "Definitely, today is one of the best parts of my job."

The presentation also included a lesson for the students, who were shown not only how to make a difference in the world, but why you should make a difference.

Photo: Contributed - YouTube

Abby holds a handful of the hair she donated to the Canadian Cancer Society

The class heard why Abby began the campaign and the influence of Terry Fox in her life. Ginter explained to them  how the Canadian Cancer Society helps patients out by providing care and lodging through the Southern Interior Rotary Lodge at Kelowna General hospital.

"When I have the opportunity to address children, they understand that there is a very simple correlation between making good choices and having good things happen. And with over half of all cancers being preventable, they really are the perfect audience to understand that message," says Ginter.

As for Abby's new look, her classmates have told her they like it. Enough perhaps, that she might not grow it back

"I still haven't decided."

Meaning she might have to come up with a new idea for her next campaign.