Petawawa musician and songwriter Nelson Shamess will be putting his hair on the line to beat cancer.

The rocker who has entertained as a bass guitarist and drummer to numerous local bands over the years will shed his foot-long locks to raise money for the upcoming Renfrew County Relay for Life.

The Great Canadian Warehouse will be hosting the hair-cutting party on Wednesday, May 23 at 10 p.m. with proceeds from the event going to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Previously, Mr. Shamess had donated his hair to the Locks of Love program and the Take Steps Against Breast Cancer initiative. He figured he was getting shaggy enough at the top to lose his hair once more.

"My hair is getting long again and summer's coming," Mr. Shamess joked. "It's for a really good cause."

This year's 12-hour relay begins at CFB Petawawa's Dundonald Track on Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. and runs until 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 2. The event is still seeking teams of eight or more people representing corporations, businesses, schools, groups, communities, families and friends. Each participant pays a $10 registration fee and is asked to raise a minimum $100 in pledges.

"Luckily my family has been cancer free," said Mr. Shamess.

However, he has numerous friends who have had a mother or father inflicted by cancer and he wants to do his part. He will walk at this year's Relay on one of the myFM Wild Card teams, minus the flowing hair.

So far, the community is once more showing it is engaged in supporting the Relay for Life, said Dave Henderson, fundraising co-ordinator with the Renfrew County unit of the Canadian Cancer Society.

"We have fundraising taking place all month long," said Mr. Henderson. "People are getting very creative."

There are several other Relay for Life fundraisers being conducted by teams. On Friday, May 18, there is a BBQ at Rexall Pharma Plus. The following day, Saturday, May 19, will see two yard sales by Team McMullan and Team Skunky. The Nine and Dine for Relay convenes at Pembroke Shores Golf Club on Friday, May 23. Team Escape from Alcatraz is hosting its annual Car Wash for Relay at the Royal Canadian Legion on Saturday, May 26.

Teams can now register by going to www.relayforlife.ca. Team captains can personalize their page and invite others to support them. They can also use the same user name and password as last year. If you are interested in joining the Relay for Life leadership committee or helping out on event day, contact Dave Henderson at the Canadian Cancer Society Renfrew County Unit at dhenderson@ontario.cancer.ca or call 613-735-2571.

Sean Chase is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist