A local healthcare professional is preparing to donate his hair and beard to a fundraising effort for the Coaticook Community Health and Social Services Center (CSSS) Foundation.
Dr. Steven Bartlett will be shaving his head and beard on September 18th, as part of a campaign to raise money for the organization. This isn’t the first time Dr. Bartlett has participated in the event, having done so more than 15 years ago.
The initiative began during a golf tournament hosted by the hospital foundation last fall. “Jean-Pierre Dupuis launched the idea during the evening event. I maybe provoked him a little with my good hair and beard,” Dr. Bartlett joked.
“I admit I was a little hesitant at first because I had already done it before. But those doubts quickly disappeared. Jean-Pierre has always been involved with the foundation. He’s a guy I respect and couldn’t say no to.”
Vicky Désorcy, president of the CSSS Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for Dr. Bartlett’s involvement. “We are super happy,” she said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better person to participate. People are attached to him and he is very involved in the community.”
For Dr. Bartlett, the personal sacrifice is minimal. “It’s nothing to me,” he stated. “I’ve seen so much suffering in medicine. People are fighting cancer and losing it due to chemotherapy treatments. Mine will grow back. And it’s for a good cause.”
The fundraising campaign will include several events in the coming months, including pickleball and beanbag tournaments. “It’s really incredible to witness everyone getting involved. I feel people are grateful for the medical work that has been done in the region. It’s a way for them to give back and get involved. It really warms my heart to see that. I’ve given to Coaticook, but Coaticook gives back to me a lot. It’s great to work in a small community. I’m even more convinced that I made the right choice at that point in my career.”
The hair-shaving event will capture place on September 18th, coinciding with the CSSS Foundation’s golf tournament. This type of community-driven fundraising highlights the growing trend of localized support for healthcare initiatives, demonstrating the power of personal contributions to vital services.
