Pat Penley has literally gone pink.
The sensai of the 19 Wing Karate Club had his hair and beard colored to support two friends struggling with breast cancer, and another who succumbed to the illness.
His locks will remain pink until mid-January.
In past years, Penley has participated in fund-raising events for Cops for Cancer. His inspiration was Vancouver Island police officer, Mike Lawless, who died from cancer. This year, he decided to direct his efforts to Dress for the Cause — a Breast Cancer Society of Canada campaign.
Henley has raised about $800 towards his goal of $1,000 for breast cancer research.
When he first walked into the 19 Wing dojo with pink hair, the reaction of Penley’s younger students was ‘Wow!’ The adults, on the other hand, have had a harder time taking him seriously.
But walking around with a pink beard has been nothing compared to those with breast cancer who “go through a lot more,” Penley said.
“It (cancer) affects everybody,” he added.
Penley thanks Sally Beauty for donating the pink dye.
Support his fund-raising efforts at bit.ly/2BJ5EBB