TWEED LOCAL Suzanne Edmunds cannot remember the last time she had short hair but that hasn’t stopped her from volunteering to have it all cut off by her local barber as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s fundraiser, World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure.
On Saturday, March 16, Ms Edmunds will say goodbye to her long locks at the Cabarita Beach Barbershop (Ace Plaza) at 10.30am.
She is hoping to raise more than $2,500 to help give families facing blood cancer the emotional and practical support they need.
Funds raised will also support vital research to help more people survive blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Despite doing it all for a good cause, Ms Edmunds admits to being nervous about losing her long locks.
“My hair’s not quite down to my waist but it’s long enough, so I’m freaking out as it’s been this long for as far back as I can remember,” she said.
“I think my bird, Sunny, will miss it the most as he hides under it when we go for a walk because he doesn’t like the outside world.
“I can’t even imagine myself with short hair – it’s going to be a bloody shock.”
Like many people, however, Ms Edmunds has been touched by having friends and family affected by cancer and she recognises that cutting her hair is a small sacrifice to make in order to help sufferers receive the help and support they need.
“My boy’s grandmother lost their hair from cancer and her hair was her everything, so she was devastated and then one of our girlfriends died recently at only 21 so I decided to cut my hair off,” she said.
“If I can give a little bit back then why not – it’s just hair and you never know I might end up with something one day so I am helping a cause that might help me one day.”
With one Australian losing their life to blood cancer every two hours it is no surprise that her barber Rod Irving has also been personally touched by blood cancer.
“I’ve just had a cousin pass away a couple of weeks ago from leukaemia, he was only 46 and had been battling it for a few years,” Mr Irving said.
“My grandfather also passed away from marrow cancer.”
Mr Irving said he was expecting a big crowd for the haircut as Ms Edmunds is well known around the area.
“Rather than shaving her head I’m actually going to give her a number one, so she’s got a bit of grace,” he said.
“Her hair is halfway down her back so it’s a big move.
“She’s a bit of a local character and a lot of people around here know her so we’re expecting a decent crowd.”
Local shopkeepers have also donated prizes for a raffle and there will be a sausage sizzle and music by local performers on the day.
Ms Edmunds warned that people attending may have to wait a little for the big event.
“It will all kick off around 10.30am but I might not end up getting up the gumption to get my hair cut until lunch time – I might need a few wines first,” she laughed.
To help in the fight against blood cancer which claims more lives than breast cancer and melanoma, you can sponsor Ms Edmunds by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/y6dsbwg7