Darcy happy to ‘brave the shave’

Five years after he first ‘braved the shave’ in honour of his grandmother, Horsham St Brigid’s College student Darcy Hogan is at it again.

Darcy will participate in Leukaemia Foundation’s World Greatest Shave at a special assembly at the college on Friday.

Now in its 20th year, World’s Greatest Shave raises money to support families facing blood cancer, along with funding vital research that will help more people survive blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma.

After watching his grandmother, Jan Neville, undergo treatement for leukaemia in 2012, Darcy felt compelled to do something to help make a difference to other people experiencing cancer and its invasive treatments.

“We spent a lot of time at the hospital visiting Gran,” Darcy said.

“It was a very sad time for my family. I was only young, so we used to play little games to try to lighten the mood as I didn’t really understand what was going on.

“When we would visit I would count how many more platelets Gran had and counted all the little hairs growing back on her head. It’s the little things like that, I remember doing when she was sick.”

Mrs Neville won her battle with leukaemia and a year later, Darcy learnt about World’s Greatest Shave.

Each March, more than 20,000 Australians help beat blood cancer by collecting sponsorship to shave or colour their hair.

“At first I was a bit sceptical, but then I thought that by shaving my hair I could help saves lives of other people like my Gran,” he said.

“So in March 2013, I shaved my head for the Leukaemia Foundation and ended up raising about $2500.”

Darcy said last month a photo popped up on his Facebook page reminding him of his efforts. He thought, why not do it again? The year-11 student said his family, friends and school community had thrown their support behind his quest.

“Everyone at St Brigid’s has been really supportive,” he said.

“I’m lucky to go to school with students and staff who really care about making a difference for our future.

“The event is so simple but so effective. It could change someone’s life, so please donate or ‘be brave and shave’ too.”

People can visit www.worldsgreatestshave. com for more information or to donate.