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RADILIH KOE/FORT GOOD HOPE - In an amazing and spontaneous show of support for a Norman Wells man who is battling cancer, 44 people in his hometown of Fort Good Hope shaved their heads to help raise money for cancer research.

Louie Edgi holds a photo of friends from Fort Good Hope posing with their new bald heads. The hockey team and other Fort Good Hope residents shaved their heads to raise money for cancer research after Edgi was diagnosed with a brain tumor. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

Last year Louie Edgi, 37, began suffering from unexplained seizures and loss of motor co-ordination. A CT scan revealed a brain tumour. This past summer Edgi began receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the disease. The treatment has caused his hair to fall out.

Edgi was born and raised in Fort Good Hope. He now lives in Norman Wells with his wife Marlene and their two children. He is an avid hockey player who regularly plays for teams in Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope.

The head shaving campaign began when two of Edgi's friends in Norman Wells, Russell Manuel and Benji Lewison, shaved their heads in support.

As soon as people in Fort Good Hope heard what Edgi was going through, they wanted to help. Edgi's cousin, Angela Grandjambe, said at first many people in the community didn't know what they should do.

Angela decided to approach members of the Fort Good Hope hockey team to see if they would shave their heads.

"We started asking and without hesitation they all said, 'Yes, we'll do it.' It just steamrolled from there," said Angela.

The event was held at the Fort Good Hope Community Complex on Saturday, Sept 27.

Edgi had just returned from a round of chemotherapy and radiation treatment in Edmonton. Northwright Air provided four round trip tickets from Norman Wells to Fort Good Hope so the Edgi family could attend the event.

Edgi said 14 hockey players were the first to line up and have their heads shaved. As the afternoon went on more and more people got in line to face the clippers.

"I think once they started people got inspired and just jumped right in," said Edgi.

Eight women from the town who had long hair agreed to cut their long locks and donate the hair for wigs. Four of the eight women completely shaved their hair off.

Angela said it was an emotional moment as the women cut their hair.

"The lady that was cutting the long hair, her hand was just shaking," she said.

Joe Grandjambe, one of the hockey players who shaved his head, said he did it to support anyone who had ever battled cancer or lost a loved one to the disease.

"We were trying to show the community that cancer doesn't just hit young people. Cancer doesn't discriminate. It can hit anyone," said Joe.

At the end of the event, $2,065 dollars was raised through the sale of baked goods and spontaneous donations. The money will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Angela said it is now almost impossible to go around town without seeing someone with a shaved head.

"Every time you're driving or you're in the store you'll see someone who is now bald," she said.

Edgi said young boys would grin and rub their bald heads whenever they see him.

He said he is feeling better since receiving treatment for the tumour. He has regained much of the co-ordination in his left hand. Edgi said he hopes to be back on the ice for the hockey season.