Hundreds of freshly-shaven heads will be out in force in March as Kiwis banish their bad hair days for good for Shave for a Cure!
The annual week which has seen thousands of Kiwis go bald over the last 16 years will be held from March 19 – 25. Brave ‘shavees’ will raise money to support the estimated 21,000 New Zealanders living with a blood cancer or related blood condition.
Last year close to 2,000 individuals, businesses, schools and community groups shaved raising over $1.25 million for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC).
One of the first to sign up in 2018 was 11-year-old Alyx Douglas from Hastings who braved her first Shave at nine and has patiently waited for her hair to grow back so she can do it again.
Alyx’s mum Tanya says the first time round, the mother and daughter duo braved a Shave together, but this time Alyx has decided to shave solo simply because she loves helping people.
“Alyx doesn’t know anyone directly affected by cancer but she just has a huge heart and wants to support those going through a blood cancer diagnosis. She’s really not phased at the thought of losing her hair again because she just gets so much joy out of giving back to others,” says Tanya.
Alyx has set her fundraising target at $5000 and has planned a ‘Shave day fun day’ at the local Scouts hall in Hastings where there will be bouncy castles, games, sausage sizzles and raffles with goods and vouchers donated by local businesses.
The 2018 fundraising target for Shave for a Cure is $1.2 million. LBC receives no Government funding and Shave for a Cure funds their work supporting New Zealand families living with a blood cancer or related condition.
LBC’s services include personalised patient support, funding for research – including the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Research Unit at the University of Auckland, providing information, running awareness programmes and advocating on behalf of patients.
“It is super exciting to see how many people have already signed up to Shave in 2018. To see people like Alyx getting involved simply to help people living with blood cancer is always so lovely to see and we’re very appreciative,” says Pru Etcheverry, Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand’s CEO.
Farmers who are huge supporters of Shave for a Cure are holding Shaves at 17 stores across the country. The list of stores participating can be found here shaveforacure.co.nz/get-involved/farmers-shaves/
To find out more information and to sign up to Shave for a Cure, head to: shaveforacure.co.nz