On Wednesday, September 28 staff and students from DVSS participated in the Terry Fox National School Run Day 2011.
    The goal of the event is to raise both awareness and money for cancer research.
    The day began with an assembly in the gym where staff and students listened to moving stories from Principal Curtis LaPierre and guest speaker, Mrs. Barb Travis.
    Travis, who some students know as a substitute teacher, described her experience with cancer.
    Just five months after receiving a mammogram, Travis found a lump on her chest and pulled out of her first bodybuilding competition.
    She had the lump removed by a cancer specialist, although the doctor she initially saw wanted to wait and observe.
    The cancer persisted.
    In April 2007, Travis was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer.  
    With surgery and sixteen radiation treatments the cancer was beaten.
    Two months later,  she competed in her first bodybuilding competition and will compete in the national championships in two weeks.
    Travis ended with a poem composed by her daughter entitled C Stands for Courage.
    Students then braved the damp weather and began the run, which lasted until they ran eight laps around the road that encircles the DVSS.
    Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a barbecue provided by Maryam Asef, owner of the Drumheller Fas Gas.
    Associate Principal Brad Treske and teacher Ryan Hatch put their hair on the line to encourage students to reach their fundraising goal.
    If students raise $3000, Mr. Teske will wax his legs. At $5000 Hatch will undergo the painful process of waxing his chest.
    Student Sam Brown has made a considerable effort to see that the two will soon be sans hair. Brown has raised over $650.
    The fundraiser ends today, but the search for a cure continues.

    The seventh annual Cuts For Cancer will be held on February 3 and already a few have made the commitment to put their locks on the block to support the Drumheller Area Health Foundation.
    The annual fundraiser was originally dedicated to the memory of Cathy Morse’s mother. It has grown into a premier fundraising event generating thousands of dollars to purchase needed equipment for the Drumheller Health Centre and to support patients and families.
    This year, Morse has received a commitment from Ken Schinnour at Allied Distributors to shave his locks to raise funds.
    She also confirms that a legend will be falling. Even people that don’t know Dave Lee, will recognize his moustache. Yep, it too will be shorn for the right price.
    “He’s had it since I think he was 14,” said Morse. “He’s got a big old handlebar moustache, so that could be a big draw.”
    To get the ball rolling, Cuts For Cancer  hosted a barbecue featuring the Cat County Cougar Hunters. Cathy’s daughter Courtney even joined up with the band for a few numbers at the Road House Saloon last Saturday in Rosedale. They raised about $630 at the event. All the funds are being directed to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation.
    Morse says they could always use more community members to step forward to get in the barber’s chair for a good cause. This year, pledge forms are only available at the Chop Shop.