At the age of 90, Ron Gillies finds himself blessed on multiple fronts. Foremost among them is his expansive and devoted family, having raised seven children alongside his late wife. Additionally, he possesses a full head of striking white hair that adorns his distinguished appearance.
“Though it might be a little thin on top, I do have it,” Ron remarked with a chuckle.
What makes Ron’s story even more remarkable is his resolute preservation of his hair despite enduring what he refers to as “a considerable battle with cancer” spanning the past three years.
Yet, on a recent Saturday, Ron willingly surrendered his cherished locks, allowing a stranger armed with electric clippers to shear it all off, much to the applause and support of an enthusiastic crowd.
But why this seemingly drastic move?
“I am resolute in my desire to make a difference and extend a helping hand,” Ron expressed with conviction.
Ron’s intention is to extend his aid to children who, like him, have confronted the challenging reality of a cancer diagnosis. His decision to part ways with his hair was an integral facet of a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser hosted at The Publican, a well-known bar and restaurant located in Windsor, owned by none other than Ron’s son-in-law.
For an extended period, St. Baldrick’s has been orchestrating similar fundraising events across the nation. Participants pledge to undergo head-shaving during these gatherings, exchanging their personal hair for pledges of monetary contributions dedicated to advancing research on pediatric cancer.
During the event at The Publican, Ron assumed the position of the second individual out of eleven brave “shavees.” With an unblemished smile gracing his countenance, he observed as the razor smoothly traversed his scalp. In a mere matter of minutes, he found himself bereft of hair for the first time in his life. Upon glancing at his transformed reflection in the mirror, Ron characterized his new appearance as “even better than I anticipated.”
