Iqaluit (June 23/03) - Members of Iqaluit's Royal Purple have donated over $7,000 to breast cancer awareness over the last year. They've held a concert and even sold chocolates. Last weekend, they raised even more money -- by shaving their heads.

"Hair is such a big thing for women, but it will grow back. It gives you an idea of what it feels like to lose your hair," said Alice Coman, president of the Royal Purple of Iqaluit.

Five women were signed up to either shave their heads or get buzz cuts. Other members, all 43 of them, helped with the fundraising and some even donated ponytails to Wigs for Kids.

Coman said the group was joking around about shaving their heads when discussing fundraisers at a meeting. But the more they talked about it, the more realistic it became.

Several women came forward to volunteer and that's all they needed to get things going. Coman said the Royal Purple's mission is to support women and that's why they did it.

"A lot of people have asked me whether I'm going to have bumps or lumps or scars. I had no idea but it didn't really matter because I have a baseball cap. It's worth every little bit of hair I'm losing," said Coman.

The lucky lady who shaved the heads was Debbie Purchase from Debbie's Hair Studio in Iqaluit. She was happy to participate and said it really meant something special to her.

"It's for a good cause. The reason I'm doing it is my mother has two breasts gone to cancer. So, to participate and be there, it's just a good cause. Hair grows back," she said.

The Royal Purple hoped to raise about $1,000 per head shaved. They haven't tallied up the total yet because they are still accepting donations.

All the money donated, every penny of it, will go to the Qulliit Status of Women Council for breast cancer awareness.