For Raeshel it wasn’t about the money, it was about the bigger picture; so her fellow students would take note – cancer will hit many Australians close to home. And everyone must work toward a cure.
“If we could all take a moment, I would like everyone to turn around and look at the people beside you,” the year 10 student said in a speech to the school.
“Everyone knows or will know someone who has cancer
“Mrs Diana Reed, from our school front office, as well as others in our St Peter’s community are going through cancer this year.
“As well as millions more.”
Raeshel was compelled to shave her head and raise money for a cure after three of her grandparents were diagnosed with the disease.
“My Nan had thyroid cancer when I was two and is now in remission and doing well,” she said.
“Her husband, my grandfather, passed away in 2011 from an aggressive brain tumour.
“My other grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“He underwent treatment and was lucky enough to have 7 years in remission but now has secondary cancer in the bones.
“Secondary cancer is more aggressive than the initial [diagnosis].
“Unfortunately my grandfather will eventually lose his life to this dreadful disease.”
Raeshel urged her fellow students to donate not only to find a cure, but also to help provide treatment, transport and accommodation for rural families who are battling cancer.
Maitland hairdressers Strand On High donated their time and skills to shave Raeshel’s hair in front of the school.
37,500 new cancer cases are diagnosed in NSW alone each year.
So far the World’s Greatest Shave has raised over $11 million for the Leukemia Foundation.
“Even if you don’t know someone with blood cancer, which is where your donations will go to this year, finding the cure for one cancer can assist in curing others,” Raeshel said.
“[It can give] us a better understanding of what we’re dealing with.”
The Maitland Mercury wants to meet the everyday heroes who plan on shaving or dying their hair for the World’s Greatest Shave.
The website will showcase the stories and images of those across the Hunter who are bravely raising money to find a cure for cancer.
Raeshel’s speech to the school
Good morning students and staff. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Raeshel and I’m in year 10. On Monday the 14th of March I will be participating in the world’s greatest shave and I’m here to ask for your support in donations.
The reason why I have decided to participate in this event is because three of my grandparents have been affected by cancer. My Nan had thyroid cancer when I was two and is now in remission and doing well, her husband, my grandfather passed away in 2011 from an aggressive brain tumour and my other grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent treatment and was lucky enough to have seven years in remission but now has secondary cancer in the bones. Secondary cancer is more aggressive than the initial one and unfortunately my grandfather will eventually lose his life to this dreadful disease.
If we could all take a moment I would like everyone to turn around and look at the people beside you as everyone knows or will know someone who has cancer. Mrs Diana Reed from our school front office as well as others in our St Peters community are going through cancer this year as well as millions more.
Even if you don’t know someone with blood cancer which is where your donations will go to this year. Finding the cure for one cancer can assist in curing others or let us have a better understanding of what we’re dealing with.
Story originally published by The Maitland Mercury and can be read here.
Photograph courtesy of Perry Duffin.