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2007-04-02 - A Hair Raising Event Professional Paramedics Association of Ottawa - Media Release - A HAIR RAISING EVENT Thursday March 29, 2007 Ottawa - This year alone, 10,000 children will lose their hair due to cancer treatments, burns or alopecia. The demand for human hair wigs is steadily increasing. Making a wig is no easy task as not very many people fit the donor criteria. Paramedic Annik Lagassé explains how difficult it is to find hair donors, “Each wig requires 12-15 braids, with a minimum ‘virgin hair’ length of 10 inches which means not only must your hair be long, but free of chemical treatments”. Despite limitations on hair that can be donated, Lagassé managed to find several willing paramedics who were eager to help her cause. Traditionally a male-dominated profession, female medics now comprise a large percentage of paramedic employees across Canada and they are making their presence known by cutting off most of their hair. On Monday April 2nd at 13:00hours media are invited to the Riccioli Hair Salon on Rideau Street where paramedics will be cutting off their ‘virgin hair’ and donating it to Angel Hair for Kids. Angel Hair for Kids is the only Canadian charity providing wig service to kids 19 years of age and under. “These paramedics have been planning their hair donation for some time,” says Annik. “Average human hair growth is about ½ inch per month and our female paramedics have been growing beautiful ‘virgin hair’ for well over a year now”. Once the hair is donated, each wig costs between $800 and $1200 to produce. Donations for wigs can be made through the OttawaParamedics.ca website. - 30 - Please contact Robert Wilson, Advanced Care Paramedic and event organizer for more information. Robert Wilson, Advanced Care Paramedic Director of Media Relations Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa 300 March Rd (4th Floor) Ottawa, ON K2K 2E2 Phone: (613) 244-0333 ext 6 media@OttawaParamedics.ca www.OttawaParamedics.ca The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is responsible for promoting the practice of Paramedicine and ensuring the highest level of care for our patients. We are leaders in the advancement of Paramedicine and achieve our objectives through public awareness, research and education. We lobby for self-regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act. We also assist in fundraising for community-based charities. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is a proud chapter of the Ontario Paramedic Association and the Paramedic Association of Canada. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa (PPAO) is not a labour union. |