Suzy Alvarez describes her grandfather, Humberto Araya, as a caring, loving person who is always smiling and trying to help others.

"When he was diagnosed (with prostate cancer) it was terrible," Alvarez told CTVNews.ca.

With most of Alvarez's family still in Chile, Araya accompanied her grandfather to many of the treatments that ultimately helped him beat the disease. That’s where she became inspired to make a difference for others with cancer.

"When I would go to his appointments I would see young kids in chemo losing their hair and ever since then I've been wanting to donate (my hair)," she said. "I've said it, but haven't done it, so now is the time."

But she isn't just going to lop it off in solidarity. Instead, she plans to cut it, only after raising $2,000 for cancer causes.

Alvarez has joined the ranks of hundreds of Canadians that includes such celebrities as Jason Priestley, Toronto Argonaut Mike Bradwell, and Shannon and Sophie Tweed-Simmons, who are pledging to do something that scares them as part of the “Fearless Challenge” campaign launched by the Canadian Cancer Society.

"We know that facing cancer is one of the biggest fears one may have to face in their life," Susan Dodge of the Ontario Cancer Society told CTVNews.ca, explaining why they developed a fundraiser campaign that challenges every Canadian to confront their fears.

The challenge launched at the beginning of August, with the goal of raising $3 million.

Anyone over the age of 13 can participate by taking their idea to the Fearless Challenge website and clicking on the 'create a challenge' link. In addition to pledging their challenge, participants set their fundraising goals as well as their own deadlines for raising the money. After that, they’re encouraged to share their progress, and eventual fear-facing challenge, on social media.

So far, many of the participants’ plans, such as skydiving or bungee jumping, are related to conquering a fear of heights.

‘Party with a python’

But others are even more adventurous. One woman pledges to eat a ghost pepper for $750, while another pledges to cover himself with tarantulas for $5,000.

Ian Cole has pledged to "party with a python," for $400.

"They are just creepy, I don't like touching them," Cole told CTVNews.ca.

But if enough people donate, Cole says, "I'm going to have this large python wrapped around my shoulders and neck and see how long I can tolerate it."

As for image-conscious Alvarez, who hasn’t had a substantial haircut in 18 years, her plan to cut the locks that now flow to the small of her back remains a daunting prospect.

"My hair is what makes me," Alvarez said. "Cutting 10 inches off is a lot."

Anyone can make donations by visiting the “Fearless Challenge” website.