Teenager makes a stand against cancer with shave
A SCHOOLBOY who has seen four of his family diagnosed with cancer in just two years was determined to do something to help.
Ethan Colgan, 15, saw his grandparents on his mum’s side diagnosed with the disease within a month of each other at the start of 2020. And his other grandad was told he had lung cancer, and his grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The youngster, from Stretton, wanted to do something to help victims of the disease and decided to raise money by “braving the shave” – having his head shaved bald on Saturday, August 6.
He has told how difficult it was for his family during lockdown when his grandparents on his mum’s side were both undergoing cancer treatment at home together, but nobody could visit to help them or see how the couple were doing.
The family did manage to see Ethan’s grandparents once lockdown restrictions eased, but his granddad died on Christmas Day 2020. He had been in remission, but suffered a chest infection and ended up in hospital, where he passed away.
The teenager said: “Ever since my grandad passed away, I decided I wanted to do something in memory of him. Unfortunately, there’s not much I could do in regards to Covid but I knew I could do a lot [to raise awareness] around cancer.
“Now that we’re out of lockdown for good, I decided that this is the year I want to ‘Brave the Shave.’ My nan lost her hair during her treatment, and I want to support her.”
Thankfully, Ethan’s grandmother has now received the all-clear from cancer. However, his dad’s aunt and uncle have now been diagnosed with the disease. The goal the teenager had set for his fundraising was £300, but he surpassed this, making £500 which will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Ethan works as a barista at Craythorne Farm Cafe in Stretton, owned by Vanessa Brown, and has worked there since January.
He had asked Vanessa if he would have his head shaved in the cafe as a way to raise more money
and awareness for the cause, to which she said she would be delighted.
Ethan has also been wearing his Macmillan Cancer Support T-shirt during his shifts so that customers can donate.
The teenager said: “I wasn’t nervous
until the last week before the shave, the idea of having my head shave didn’t phase me at all.
“I think what scared me the most is, because I did it at work, people who don’t know me or who saw me for the first time watched me get my head shaved.
“On the plus side I got encouragement from friends and colleagues who watched, and my family hairdresser, Jenny Fell, did the shaving. She’s the only hairdresser I’ve ever let cut my hair since birth.”
Ethan’s mum Steph Colgan, 46, said: “My initial thoughts wondered whether Ethan’s choice to brave the shave was a whim, but then I realised how passionate he was about doing it. Especially with being stuck in lockdown, I thought he’d forget about it or change his mind, but he’s persisted in wanting to do it this whole time.
“We’re really proud of Ethan, what he’s done is amazing. The whole family has been incredibly supportive of what he’s done – it’s a big deal.”
Vanessa Brown, 52, Ethan’s employer, said: “We’re really proud of Ethan and any support will go a long way. I’m glad Ethan asked me to do the brave the shave here at Craythorne Cafe, it was great to watch.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Ethan’s ‘Brave the Shave’ can do so on the Macmillan website.