I’m being brave and doing the big shave for breast cancer funding

It’s official – I am shaving my head to raise money for breast cancer research, treatment and to donate my hair for a wig on October 29, 2022!

This is a very personal journey for me and my family and massively challenging for me and my identity, so I hope I can count on your support. Here’s my story.

My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer during Victorian lockdown. She lives in Tasmania – we couldn’t get to her. My husband and I struggled watching her from afar as she went through such torturous cancer treatment for two years. I remember the moment that she revealed her hair loss to us during a FaceTime call. My husband and I appeared so strong on screen, but out of view our hands found each other’s quickly and we squeezed tightly, it was so confronting, and we had a cry together afterwards. I said to my husband “when your mum gets through this – and I know she will because she loves her kids and grandkids too much to leave them yet – I want to do something to celebrate and contribute to all of the amazing nurses and doctors and the treatment centres who are helping her get through this”. Two years later and she is in remission, and it is time to keep my promise. I know this will be confronting for me and my kids but it aligns with my values – it’s about what is in your heart and mind, not what is on the outside.

I will be donating to:

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) which is Australia’s leading national body funding game-changing breast cancer research with money raised entirely by the Australian public.

and

The North West Cancer Centre in Burnie, Tasmania, who looked after my mother in law during her treatment with such positivity, compassion and generosity. We hope this money could go towards creating similar experiences for future patients.

Click 'Donate' to make a secure online donation and help me reach my goal. Every donation, big or small, will help me get there.

Thank you so much for your support, I know times are tight right now, so I would appreciate any small donation you can afford to make.

Cheers
Katie