Students Take a ‘Bald’ Stand Against Blood Cancer
- intouch Magazine
- Mar 1, 2021
- 2 min read
In 2021, extraordinary Australians from all states and territories will again take a stand against blood cancer by rallying together to lose their locks, colour their cuts, or wax their waves in one of Australia's most-loved charity events, the Leukaemia Foundation’s World's Greatest Shave.
In a brave move, a team of local Merewether High students have banded together to take their support to the next level. Determined to break the national fundraising record for this year's World's Greatest Shave, the team, led by the school’s Prefect Secretary, Aidan Bottom, are an impressive young bunch!
The current national fundraising record is $52,000 – so they’ve got their work cut out for them. To date, 71 students have signed up for the challenge – all agreeing to either shave, cut or colour their hair for the cause, and they’ve wasted no time getting down to the very important task of raising funds, with $21,100 raised at the time we go to print.
Shave Day is March 18 at the Merewether High School Assembly (at 10AM), but before the big day, students have arranged fundraising BBQs at both the school and local Bunnings stores, bake sales, a movie night and some charity sports matches.
The organisation of all events is run entirely by the team of school prefects – no mean task for a group of 17-year-olds!
Blood cancer is on the rise in Australia. Over the past ten years, the incidence of blood cancer has increased by approximately 38%, and every day another 47 Australians will be diagnosed. Blood cancer doesn’t discriminate – it can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time – in fact, more than 110,000 Australians currently live with blood cancer or related disorders.
By donating to ‘Team-MHS’ as part of the World’s Greatest Shave, you can make sure families facing blood cancer have a place to call home during treatment, someone to turn to in their time of need and access to the best possible care and treatment. You will also help Australia’s best and brightest blood cancer researchers in their quest to deliver rapid advancements in diagnosis, treatment and ultimately a cure.
To get behind Team MHS (and we hope you do!), visit www.worldsgreatestshave.com
A FEW FACTS
Every year, 17,321 Australians will be newly diagnosed with blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. This is equivalent to 47 people every day or one person every 31 minutes
The Leukaemia Foundation’s latest Blood Cancer in Australia report confirms that in just 15 years, by 2035, this number will more than double to 100 people every day.
Blood cancer is one of the highest causes of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives than breast cancer and melanoma combined. Over 5,600 people in Australia are expected to lose their life to blood cancer or related blood disorders this year alone.
