A young goalie from Bobcaygeon, Ont., is going to great lengths to help cancer patients.
Twelve-year-old Yianni Karkoulas plays net for the Peterborough Billy Smith Sells Major Peewee AAA Petes, and has been growing out his hair for four years to make wigs for cancer patients.
“My grandma had cancer and then my dad grew his hair for cancer so then I decided I wanted to do it,” said Karkoulas.
The netminder said he doesn’t exactly know how long his hair is but it goes down past his waist.
READ MORE: Stories of Giving: Why women and girls are donating their hair to Canadian Cancer Society Wig Bank
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In addition, about two months ago, Karkoulas decided he needed to do something more.
“I decided that growing my hair wasn’t enough so I made a website to raise money because one of the machines to give chemotherapy to cancer patients is $8 million each,” he said.
Karkoulas launched a donation page with the Lakeridge Health Foundation to help raise money for the hospital. So far, he’s raised $6,820. Even his eight-year-old sister Khaterina, donated $40 of her own money.
“We’re so excited and we’re so proud of him and he’s been growing his hair, enjoying the whole attention and his motivation to help,” said Yianni’s mother Penny.
She added that this is not the first time her son is giving back.
“He’s raised money — $7,000 for leukemia. I think this is his journey to help others.”
To help Karkoulas meet his goal of $10,000, visit his Instagram page at yondogger73 or his webpage on the Lakeridge Health Foundation.
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