Hi all, I'm doing the World's Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation! Yep – shaving to a number 1 or 2! I was already in two minds about shaving the old noggin (because lockdown has had me making impulsive decisions and I’ve had to check myself a few times 😅). But when Leukaemia hit closer to home, it was a no brainer to partake in this great act of support. Shout out to my amazing friend, true fighter, and (sometimes) boss, Leez. You’ve beaten cancer once and you can do it again! I know times are tough... so if you can, please sponsor me to give families (like Leeza's) facing blood cancer the emotional and practical support they need. You'll also fund vital research to help more people survive blood cancers, whilst improving their quality of life. Target: $560 (enough for a regional family to stay in accommodation closer to treatment for a week). If we reach the goal, you can expect before, during and after pics. UPDATE: In less than 24 hours we reached $560! Thank-you so much to those who donated so promptly. I have raised the goal to $1200 (enough for a regional family to stay in accommodation closer to life-saving treatment for 2 weeks. That is 2 weeks of precious relief so they may solely focus on getting better). How else can you help? Join the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). Do it. Often the only possible cure for Leukaemia is a bone marrow transplant. Donors need to be matched to the patient, making it difficult to match donors to patients with rare tissue types. Siblings are ideal but only 1 in 3 patients will match with a family member. Unfortunately, Leeza did not match with either of her siblings and is now reliant on the angels on the ABMDR and other international registries for this treatment. This is a common story. I’m reaching out to you all because most of you are between the ages of 18-35 which is the ideal age bracket to become a donor. Only 1 in 1500 donors will be asked to donate in a year. If you are asked to donate, you would have the opportunity to do an incredible thing for someone and their family. I'm currently booked in to become a donor on the registry because I'm ready to save a life! You can check your eligibility and how to join here: https://www.abmdr.org.au/ then book a blood donation here: https://www.donateblood.com.au/ and ask to be on the ABMDR when you show up to your appt. I will be shaving and donating my hair in late Nov, but will be taking your sponsorship donations into the New Year to send off 2020. Big thanks to Nat from Retreat Hair (https://www.retreathair.com.au/) who has provided me with instructions on how to shave/prepare my hair for donation and who will be donating the hair for me. Fun fact: everyone’s trimmings (no matter how long or short) can be used for good – whether it be for wig-making or for green purposes (e.g. floating hair booms to soak up oil spills in the ocean). So check out a Sustainable Salon next time :) Much love, a future baldy xx TW: below are blood cancer-related statistics (mentions loss of life). - - - - - - - - - - Every day another 47 Australians are diagnosed with a blood cancer. That's one Aussie every 31 minutes. Although research is improving survival, sadly an Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.