Tammy MacDonald
Co-Founder, Executive Director

Tammy is the "driven Mom" behind this event. She has supported the event since its inception in 2003, and has been the lead organizer since 2005, but is quick to remind everyone that it really is a team effort. She believes whole-heartedly that we CAN and DO make a difference in the lives of the kids Hair Massacure supports. Tammy was honoured to be chosen as a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2009. Tammy has worked as a Naturopathic Practitioner often shares her knowledge with people connected to Hair Massacure.

Jaime Caza        
Project Manager

Jaime is the "newest" veteran member of the team. While she has a long-standing connection with the event (as one of our major sponsors, as a volunteer, as a Wish Mom, and as our Volunteer Coordinator in 2011), she is brand-new to her role as Project Manager. Jaime will be working very closely with Tammy to learn all she can about the details that make this project great, while bringing her own amazing ideas to the next decade of Hair Massacure.

Brandi Wurtz                                    
Project Coordinator

Brandi joined the team in late 2010 and hit the ground running. With just over 6 weeks before the 2011 Massacure, it was all-hands-on-deck. Luckily, her background allowed her to jump in and support the event without too much trouble. Since then, Brandi has made it her mission to find the things that need tweaking, and to ensure that everyone's Massacure experience is as smooth as possible.

The Planning Committee

The Planning Committee is heart of the volunteer team. They devote hours to advance planning, refining their own operations, and giving 110% on event day. They are often in charge of an area within the event and they mean business! Funny business, most of the time, but the team wouldn't be complete without them.  We LOVE our Planning Committee …

Nicki Wohland,  Meagan Balkenende, Kyrsti MacDonald, Steven Balkenende, Mel Christoffersen, Tina MacQueen,  Roni St.Onge,  Pat McMinn, Dianna Maltais, Joelle Baldry, Shauna Short, Christie Peters, Brett Desroches, Romy Yamusen, Dol Wohland, Glen Peters, Aleesha Jex, Paul Liimatainen, Colleen Chupka, Gord MacDonald.

The MacDonald family

Each member of the MacDonald family has an integral role within Hair Massacure. Some focus on a particular area, while others touch many different pieces of the event.

Father: Gordon founded St. Valentine's Day Hair Massacre in 2003 and played lead role for the first 3 years. Gordon wears many hats with his position as a member of the executive committee, board member for Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta, event M.C., fundraiser, and entertainment (with his band Coaster 44). Gordon also works as part of the set up / tear down crew, event "schmoozer", and occasionally dabbles in damage control. Gordon has set an example every year since 2003 by fully participating (shaving and/or pinking) and inspiring others to do the same.

Mother: Tammy is the largest exception to the "particular area of focus" guideline. Tammy, as Executive Director, creates, plans and organizes all areas of the event, giving a year-round effort to the project.  She has also sacrificed her locks by pinking and shaving, and each year finds a new way to encourage more people to contribute to the cause.

Youngest Daughter: Kali (the inspiration for Hair Massacure) is often seen with Tammy at school presentations, media events, pinking events and satellite shaves. Kali has been a participant since 2006.  She has shaved twice (even after losing her hair during chemotherapy), and is currently growing her locks for a hair donation.  Kali's new interest (and talent) in photography has come in quite handy.  She is often seen behind the shears at the event as she is requested by repeat participants and VIP's.

Daughter: Kyrsti often accompanies Tammy and Kali at schools and events. She wears several hats as youth coordinator, promoter, photographer, entertainment (as singer and dancer), and participant.  Kyrsti has participated since 2005 and was the first child to "go pink".  Kyrsti has shaved 5 times, had a full Mohawk, and most recently pink streaks.

Daughter: Mandy dedicates her energy to our mascot F.R.E.D. (Family Run Event Dog) whose pinking takes place in stages from December to February. Mandy (a dog groomer's assistant) pinks F.R.E.D. and keeps him looking bright, clean, and brushed for the duration of the campaign. This process is high-maintenance, with each pinking taking several hours to complete. At events Mandy is often seen as F.R.E.D.'s caregiver.  Mandy also wears the streaks and inspires others (and their dogs) to do the same.  As this event consumes so much of Tammy's time, Mandy has also stepped up and taken on the responsibility for the majority of meals and housekeeping duties in the MacDonald home during the winter months.

Eldest Daughter: Meagan has been instrumental in the stylist area since 2006.  Meagan, once a student at Marvel College, was the inspiration behind their involvement with the event. Meagan has been our stylist coordinator for 3 years, dedicating countless hours to pinking events, organizing salons, teaching clipper courses and as lead at the event in the stylist area.  Meagan works closely with Tammy to create documents and protocol for bleaching, pinking and shaving. Meagan can be seen in the hair donation area, behind clippers and hair tattooing, as requests for Meagan as a stylist are numerous.

Son-in-law: Steve is highly versatile and can be seen in many areas from set up to delivery to enthusiast.  Steve is a driven participant, sporting a stylish pink "do" (compliments of wife Meagan).  There are no photos of Steve that don't boast a huge smile.  He is a delightful ball of energy bouncing everywhere to offer his services.

"Adopted" son: Dusty is also a cancer survivor.  Dusty has been an integral part of our family since 2006.  As a camp counselor for kids' cancer camps, Dusty has many fans who have followed him to us. Dusty owns DJ Fish Productions and is our official DJ for our event, as well as being a participant since 2006.  He too sports funky a pink "do" (compliments of Meagan) and shaves at the event. Before all-day security was arranged for each MacDonald family member, Dusty was the official/unofficial guardian of both Kyrsti and Kali. He is now off that hook, and spends much of the day schmoozing his many fans and followers.

Family pet: F.R.E.D. was inspired by our late friend Beamer (therapy dog for Stollery Children's Hospital). F.R.E.D. is often seen at schools, events and certainly the Hair Massacure. He is very popular with the participants as he is very friendly and approachable. F.R.E.D. has been a participant since 2008, inspiring other canine friends to do the same. He LOVES to be pink as he knows how handsome he is.

Nana: Colleen was once our volunteer coordinator but is far too versatile to keep in one area.  Gifted with the ability to correct any situation and make folks feels special, Nana can be seen at events hugging, schmoozing and tearing up. Nana is also a participant, shaving her head and posing with grandkids for Bald is Beautiful in 2007.