A number of northern and western Melbourne residents have shaved, cut or coloured their hair as part of the 25th annual World’s Greatest Shave event. Matthew Sims spoke to a number of local participants standing in solidarity with more than 135,000 people living with blood cancer across Australia.
Wyndham resident Joe Fraietta lost his father Agazio about six months ago after a five-year battle with myelodysplasia and later acute leukaemia.
Myelodysplasia is a group of cancers which affect the growth and development of healthy blood cells in bone marrow.
The father of two said while his father received a bone marrow transplant and went into remission, he was later diagnosed with acute leukaemia and died in an intensive care unit last August.
He has shaved his facial hair and cut his hair in memory of his father and to help raise awareness of blood cancer as part of the 25th annual World’s Greatest Shave event, having raised more than $1100 for the cause.
Shave Week took place across the country from Wednesday, March 15 to Sunday, March 19, with thousands of people shaving, cutting and colouring their locks to raise critical funds to support fellow Australians impacted by blood cancer.
Every day across Australia, 53 people learn they have blood cancer or one person every 27 minutes, according to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Additionally, 16 people will lose their battle with the disease each day, with blood cancer claiming the lives of more than 5950 people each year.
This year, 19,403 Australians will be newly diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma, and by 2023, annual blood cancer diagnosis is predicted to increase by about 100 per cent, the foundation said.
Mr Fraietta said the disease impacted his father’s platelet count and he ended up in the intensive care unit with an infection and delirium.
“It was the hardest thing,” he said.
“The last two months were pretty crap.”
Mr Fraietta said despite the long and hard fight, his father always remained positive.
“He never showed it,” he said.
“He was always that bubbly type.”
Mr Fraietta said even during visits with his two children, his father never wanted to show them he was in pain or undergoing hardships.
“He hated the word goodbye,” he said.
“When we left the hospital, he never said goodbye, it was always “good luck”.”
St Paul’s Primary School pupil Archer, 9, said he was very excited and nervous to shave all of his hair for the cause.
“I love helping people and this is a great opportunity to help people less fortunate than me,” he said.
Archer shaved his hair during a special assembly alongside other participants in front of the school community on Friday, March 17, raising more than $4500 at the time of publication.
Archer and his friend George from Dinjerra Primary School in Braybrook will both be donating their long locks as wigs for charity through World’s Greatest Shave partner Sustainable Salons, which donates longer ponytails for wigs for cancer patients, while shorter hair clippings were used for compost or floating booms to absorb oil spills at sea.
The Williamstown High School community also united for the cause during its recent athletics festival.
Year 12 student Audrey was among the students who shaved or coloured their hair, opting to do both and raising more than $1700.
“It was important to me to fight against blood cancer, as over 100,000 people in Australia are diagnosed with blood cancer and other blood diseases,” she said.
“I have also lost family members and my friends have lost family members to blood cancer and other forms of cancer.
“So I wanted to do my part in helping fight cancer and raise money to help those in need.”
Audrey said she was “very nervous” and felt sick before the shave.
“I have never had my hair very short, let alone shaved, but as soon as it was over I absolutely loved my new hair,” she said.
“I would highly recommend that for anyone wanting to shave their hair or make a big chop to consider participating in the world’s greatest shave and raising some money for a great cause.”
Year 10 student Ryan raised more than $2650 and said he decided to participate as his family, like many other families, had been touched by cancer.
“I wanted to support the fight in my own small way,” he said.
“Buzzing my head had to be one the most nerve wracking and exciting feelings.
“It is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
With the number of blood cancer patients continuing to rise, Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Chris Tanti said people with blood cancer needed support now more than ever, and each person getting behind
World’s Greatest Shave has made a difference while joining the fun and celebration of supporting a good cause.
“I want to thank each and every person who has signed up so far to World’s Greatest Shave to make it their mission to beat blood cancer,” he said.
“There’s still time to register to be a part of this year’s celebration and by getting involved, you are ensuring blood cancer patients have access to the right information, support and care they need to fight their disease as well as someone to turn to every step of the way.”
Mr Tanti said the organisation was “thrilled and extremely grateful” to see the continued support for the cause after 25 years.
“We know many are already doing it tough due to the rising cost of living,” he said.
“A blood cancer diagnosis on top of this is putting huge financial strain on thousands of Australians and their loved ones.”
The Leukaemia Foundation offers expert support, funds leading-edge research and campaigns to make change for Australians facing blood cancer, with a goal to have zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.
Details: www.worldsgreatestshave.com or 1800 500 088
