Hair Donation Ottawa (HDO) is an annual fundraising event that supports childhood cancer care and research at CHEO (the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario). Together, with our volunteers and supporters, we are proud to share that we have raised over $680,000, and collected over 30,000 inches of hair, since 2011! We are excited to announce our 10th annual event, which, due to COVID-19 safety guidelines will be a fully virtual fundraiser! 

PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS: 

• Cutting-edge cancer research at the CHEO Research Institute. 
• Two annual $500 bursaries to financially challenged Algonquin College Hairstyling Program students to help offset their tuition fees and/or textbooks.  
• Manufacturing and fitting of approximately (10) ten free wigs a year in partnership with Caralyn’s Hair Solutions for local children and youth in need. 
• Green Circle Salons environmental efforts. They use this hair to create hair booms that help with oil spill clean ups in our oceans, lakes and rivers. No hair goes to waste. It’s a win-win! 

DID YOU KNOW? 

• On average 75 kids are diagnosed with cancer each year at CHEO. 
• Each patient receives a treatment plan unique to them. 
• Remission is achieved when all the cancer cells have been removed or destroyed and there is no evidence of cancer cells in the body. 
• Each cancer patients gets a bell-ringing ceremony. Families, friends and CHEO staff gather to cheer on their patient as they ring the special bell to mark the end of their treatment. It is both an emotional and celebratory moment that highlights their courage. 
• Less invasive treatment = increased quality of life. Scientists at CHEO and the CHEO Research Institute are manufacturing oncolytic viruses capable of attacking cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells intact. This very promising therapy just began the clinical trials phase in adults.