The Northland Age

Alyx set to shave it all off — again

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Hundreds of freshly-shaven heads will be out in force this month as people banish their bad hair days, at least for a time, for another Shave for a Cure campaign.

The annual effort (March 19-25), which has seen thousands of people go bald over the last 16 years, will once again raise money to support the estimated 21,000 New Zealanders living with a blood cancer or related blood condition. Last year close to 2000 individual­s, businesses, schools and community groups raised more than $1.25 million for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC).

One of the first to sign up this year was 11-year-old Alyx Douglas, from Hastings, who braved her first Shave at 9 and has patiently waited for her hair to grow back so she can do it again.

Her mum Tanya said the first time around mother and daughter braved the Shave together, but this time Alyx had decided to go it alone.

“Alyx doesn’t know anyone directly affected by cancer, but she just has a huge heart, and wants to support those going through a blood cancer diagnosis. She’s really not fazed at the thought of losing her hair again, because she just gets so much joy out of giving back to others.”

Alyx has set her fundraisin­g target at $5000, while the national target is $1.2m. LBC, which receives no government funding, helps families living with a blood cancer or related condition by means including personalis­ed patient support, funding for research, providing informatio­n, running awareness programmes and advocating on behalf of patients.

“It is super exciting to see how many people have already signed up to Shave in 2018. To see people like Alyx getting involved simply to help people living with blood cancer is always so lovely to see, and we’re very appreciati­ve,” LBC chief executive Pru Etcheverry said.

Farmers is also a major supporter and will stage shaves at 17 stores around the country, including Kaitaia (from noon to 1.30pm on Thursday, March 22).

 ?? PICTURE / SUPPLIED ?? BRING IT ON: Alyx Douglas has been growing her hair for two years — so she can have it shaved off again.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED BRING IT ON: Alyx Douglas has been growing her hair for two years — so she can have it shaved off again.

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