Cut Coming For Speedy
(FREDERICTON, NB) Kylee Speedy is due for a haircut, but you won’t find her in a salon chair for this one.
Speedy, a fifth-year member of the REDS women’s basketball team, will be sitting in a chair at centre court of UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center for this haircut.
And there’s likely to be several hundred people watching.
“I’ll be cutting my hair as well as raising funds for breast cancer research,” said Speedy, sidelined this season after surgery to repair damaged knee ligaments.
Her hair will be cut and donated to a program that creates wigs for women who’ve lost their own hair during chemotherapy and treatment for breast cancer.
It’s all part of UNB’s Stewart-McKelvey Think Pink Week.
Speedy’s haircut will happen during half-time of the men’s basketball game between UNB amd Memorial, on February 1st.
“For me, it’s a very small gesture,” said Speedy. “It isn’t hard for me to do, but I know how much hair means to people, especially girls, so if I can help with giving someone confidence or happiness with helping with a wig, that’s what drives me to do it.”
It’s something that comes somewhat naturally for Speedy.
Her father, Jeff Speedy, UNB’s Athletic Director, spent 17 seasons as head coach of the REDS’ women’s basketball team, and continues to serve as the project manager for “Shoot For The Cure,” U SPORTS national effort to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society.
“I’ve grown up around Think Pink and I’ve seen his dedication to the event and the role he plays every year, so Think Pink kind of comes naturally to me know and it feels normal to participate every single year in some way,” she said.
This will be the fifth time Speedy has cut her hair for donation.
“I’m fortunate, my hair grows really fast, so I’ve donated it a couple of times,” said Speedy. “I donated once when I was in elementary school, once in high school, and this will be my third time doing it in university.”
While breast cancer hasn’t touched Speedy’s life, she lost her aunt to cervical cancer and her grandfather was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Fortunately, that diagnosis was made early and that cancer was beaten.
“It’s always so worth it. Even though it’s nerve-wracking in the moment, at the end of the day it’s just hair, but it can make such a difference that it’s worth it.”
Speedy won’t be the only member of the REDS cutting and donating hair during UNB’s Think Pink Week.
First-year RED Ava Britton will join Speedy at centre court on February 1st, and Jayden Kendziora of UNB’s women’s volleyball team had her locks trimmed during last weekend’s home court series.
“UNB, and our program especially, we always really dive into Think Pink. It’s a big deal for us. I think new players can easily see that,” said Speedy. “I don’t think there’s ever been a year when one of them hasn’t stepped up and donated hair, so that shows how willing our team is. We have a group of girls, and have had groups in the past, that just really care about giving back and this is one of the main ways that our team does so.”
Speedy has set a personal goal of raising $1000 dollars in her Think Pink efforts this year. The women’s basketball team has set a fund-raising goal of $5000.
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STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO BY: James West/for UNB Athletics