PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The barbers and hair stylists were extremely busy on Saturday as 45 people chopped off their locks and allowed their domes to be painted as Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn at the sixth annual Planet Head Day at the University of Maine Presque Isle.
Another 48 people donned a skullcap to take part.
The event raises money for the nonprofit organization known as C-A-N-C-E-R, or the Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery organization and this year a record-breaking $27,000 was raised, an increase of more than $12,000 from last year.
“This is easily the biggest event we have ever had,” said organizer Kevin McCartney, director of the Northern Maine Museum of Science. “They are all best. We started small and they are getting larger every year. We are not going to judge the best. They are all wonderful.”
Last year, local residents Brian Hamel and Father Jean-Paul Labrie used their heads to raise more than $10,000 for C-A-N-C-E-R and this year did even better. Hamel collected $7,000 and Fr. Labrie raised almost $4,500. Other impressive amounts were turned in by WAGM-TV ($4,000), UMPI admissions, Pizza Hut ($2,000) and TAMC ($1,000).
Jeanette Rediker, of Fort Fairfield, also raised an impressive amount, about $2,000. For her, and many of the participants, the disease is personal. She lost her brother to cancer.
“When my sister-in-law called C-A-N-C-E-R for help they brought a check out the very next day,” she said. “You’re fighting everything when you are fighting this disease. This financial help is just wonderful.”
She also has three very close friends who are battling cancer right now.
“It started out as me doing this in memory of my brother, but now seeing what my friends are going through. It’s a small thing to do to help,” Rediker added.
In total about 275 people turned out at Wieden Auditorium during the four-hour event and even though not everyone had their head painted, they learned about the good work of the C-A-N-C-E-R group and about space science.
As the event grows so do the people needed to pull it off. Thirty people contributed more than 100 volunteer-hours on Saturday.
The Knotty Knitters provided 47 caps for the folks who shaved their heads. Other groups who gave their time include the UMPI Geo-Ecology Club, Red Hats Society, Parson Street Barber Shop and Great Expectations. Lynwood Winslow and Jessica Blackstone created and printed certificates for all the participants and a number of artists painted the planets. A grant from NASA New Horizons provided the funding for the festivities.
Earth was the most popular planet, painted 19 times. Venus and Mars tied for second with nine heads each.
Planet Head Day is now the most important fund-raising event for C-A-N-C-E-R. Money raised goes to support area community members diagnosed with cancer. Those undergoing cancer treatment receive monthly Bread of Life bags with homemade bread and baked items.
“Our services are many and are custom designed to fit the needs of each patient,” Louise Calabrese, C-A-N-C-E-R chairwoman, said. “If assistance is needed to pay for prescriptions, oil, electricity, food and anything else not covered by insurance, we help until other funding sources are found. Funds may also be used for travel and overnight accommodations for medical visits downstate.”
For those who could not attend the event, donations can be sent directly to the group at C-A-N-C-E-R, P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, ME 04769, or call Calabrese at 764-0766.
