Over 150 people were on hand to spectate and donate towards the Leukaemia Foundation, via the World’s Greatest Shave concept, at the Light Horse Hotel on Friday night. Michelle Howe and Julie Shean have been hard at work collecting donations over the last 5 weeks and their efforts came to fruition when the large crowd gathered to witness the event.
Julie had her locks cut off first, before Michelle followed suit on the front decking of the pub. Spectators had their phones out taking progress shots of the ‘shave’ as well as footage as the hair hit the floor to the sound of rapturous applause and laughter.
Michelle said ‘We are amazed we can’t believe the support we have had, there is nothing like a small community to rally around a cause. We have exceeded our expectations, everyone was so generous, we had 3 donations of $500 each to hack at my hair during the shave.’ The ladies have now raised approximately $6,700 for the cause and there are dollars still coming in with a total of $7,000 looking possible.
‘Its freezing at the moment, I had been growing my hair for two years and it will take some getting used to. The difference is that Julie and I had a choice to lose our hair when those suffering have no choice. It was a decision we decided to make.’ Michelle said.
Today, 31 Australians will be given the devastating news that they have leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood disorder. That’s more than 12,000 people in 2015. Although survival rates are improving, blood cancers like these are the third biggest cause of cancer death in Australia. The Leukaemia Foundation receives no ongoing government funding, so supporting this event makes Leukaemia Foundation’s Vision to Cure and Mission to Care possible.
$36 can give emotional support to help someone overcome the initial shock of being diagnosed. $58 can provide free transport to someone who is too ill to drive before and after chemotherapy. $80 can give a regional family a free place to stay close to treatment in the city, for one night. $120 can fund a scholarship to give essential support to a major blood cancer research project, for one day.
The township of Harden Murrumburrah is proud to have these ladies apart of the community. With or without hair they have shown courage and shone a light on diseases that affect so many local people. Donations can still be made up until June 30.