Student’s head shave effort in principal’s honour tops goal, nets $32K for Cancer Society

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This article was published 15/12/2016 (3308 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The faith Brian Wenham has in his younger brother proved well placed on Wednesday, with the Michael Wenham Head Shave 2.0 exceeding its $15,000 goal.

During a celebratory event at École secondaire Neelin High School on Wednesday, it was revealed that the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser had raised $16,371 and counting.

Brain Canada has offered to match their fundraising total, meaning the effort has so far netted $32,742.

The effort is in honour of Brandon Wheat Kings public address announcer and Vincent Massey principal Michael Adamski, who is currently battling cancer.

Early on in the campaign, Michael Wenham, an 18-year-old Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School Grade 12 student, set a fundraising goal of $10,000, which elder brother Brian encouraged him to exceed, offering his head of hair as incentive for raising at least $15,000.

On Wednesday, Brian joined his younger brother in being shorn, the proud sibling’s bald head a badge of honour.

“The kid works hard,” Brian said. “He’s just a dedicated individual who wants to help out.”

As his elder brother, Brian noted that he should be the one setting the good example.

“He’s definitely putting the pressure on me,” he said with a laugh. “I just think he has a good heart. He’s a very caring person; cares about people, and I think he most importantly just wants to make a difference in the world in whatever way he can.”

Adamski started cancer treatment in Winnipeg on Monday, so was unable to attend Wednesday’s event, during which the entire student body wore shirts that read “courage” in honour of their former principal.

Prior to his recent shift to Vincent Massey, Adamski served as principal at Neelin for seven years.

On Wednesday, Adamski’s younger brother, Mark Adamski, spoke on behalf of the family, during which he thanked countless supporters for joining their battle against cancer.

“It’s unfortunate that the treatment couldn’t have been in Brandon, otherwise he would have liked to have been here,” Mark reflected after Wednesday’s presentation. “It would have touched his heart immensely, knowing the kind of guy he is … It’s very positive, not only for my brother, but for anybody who’s battling cancer.”

This was Michael Wenham’s second such fundraiser, having raised about $11,400 for the Canadian Cancer Society in 2013 in honour of local choral director Elizabeth Grant’s battle against lymphoma.

“Cancer … affects so many people that it’s hard to stand idly by and do nothing,” he explained on Wednesday.

Darren Hughes joined the Wenham siblings in having his head shaved on Wednesday, on behalf of the Wheat City Lions Club.

It was a worthy cause for the community stewards to support for many reasons, Hughes said, citing the importance of the Canadian Cancer Society’s efforts, the positivity shared by Michael Wenham and the community’s respect for Michael Adamski as key motivators.

Donations to Michael Wenham Head Shave 2.0 are being accepted until the end of the year, with details available at the effort’s namesake Facebook page.

However, Wenham clarified that donations can, and should, be pledged year-round through the Canadian Cancer Society.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB