By NICOLE VALICEK
Therese and Ben will shave their heads next month to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. 115005 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
A BRAVE sister and brother team will shave their heads to support a cause that is close to their hearts.
Next month, Therese Grimes, 17, and her 10-year-old brother Ben McDonald will brave the razor as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
The Altona North resident decided to shave her head last year in support of a number of family members who have been diagnosed with cancer over recent years.
“My grandma got diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to have chemotherapy, (I saw) the toll it took on her … she had to lose some of her hair as well,” she said.
Therese said one of her cousins also had leukaemia, with her aunty having been diagnosed with breast cancer and another with lung cancer.
“A lot of people around me have had cancer, so I’ve seen how it affected lives and having to lose their hair is a massive part of that experience,” she said.
The siblings are trying to raise $5000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and will donate their shaved locks to make a wig.
“It’s a small sacrifice to make compared to what people with any form of cancer have to go through.”
She said when Ben, who also has long hair found out, he wanted to help.
“It’s a very good reason to do it and I like helping others,” Ben said.
Therese and Ben will hold an event to shave their heads on 16 March at Newport Lakes Reserve.
To donate to the siblings visit https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=78908&Referrer=direct%2fnone#&panel1-1
