Commitment to the Community – Head for a Cure
Heads are shaved, hair is cut, burgers are barbecued and the spirit and camaraderie that the Windsor Program is known for is enriched further. At its core, however, Head for a Cure, is a charitable activity supporting Transition to Betterness – a community organization that provides support and comfort to individuals living with illness.
Throughout the week, students from the Windsor Program take part in a wide variety of activities to raise funds for Transition to Betterness.
It is kicked off with Crazy Cuts, an event that allows students to offer up their heads to be shaved and auctioned off to the highest bidder, with a promise to keep the new hairstyle for at least a week. The winning bidder chooses how the head will be shaved.
Hairdressers are also on hand to chop off the long locks of those students who can live with at least eight inches less of their own hair, in order that it can be made into wigs for cancer patients.
Other events include a board games night, and the BBQ for Betterness held at one of the local hospitals.
“Head for a Cure allows us to step out of the medical school bubble and give back to the community,” said Dema Kadri. “It keeps us grounded,” she added. “It gives us a sense of social accountability; we are able to work as a team and give back to a great cause.”
Kadri believes that events such as Head for a Cure provides medical students with an opportunity to exercise their skills in advocacy and to work toward something to which they feel connected.
The Windsor Program students have a strong commitment to the Windsor community, giving back through a variety of events and to a number of charities including Ronald McDonald Charity House, Hospice of Windsor, the Heart Breaker Challenge, the Children’s Aid Society, as well as several breast cancer charities.
“We are very lucky to be learning in such a dynamic, involved community,” said Kadri. “We see that and take any opportunity we can to get involved and give back.”
