Curtin staff and students are joining forces to raise money for leukaemia research, by saying goodbye to their lustrous locks as part of the annual World’s Greatest Shave.
What began as a group of three students late last year has swelled to a troupe of 35 brave participants representing Curtin in the 2009 University Challenge, with the team already raising more than $4,000.
Speech pathology student Sarah Connor said she’d always wanted to take part in the event, but had lacked the courage until now.
‘Last year I actually lost my dad to cancer so that kind of put things into perspective,’ she said.
It’s just hair and if I can do this to help others then why not?’
A similar situation also drove geophysics student Sean Simpson to decide to go the chop, after a friend was recently diagnosed with cancer and had spent the past year in and out of chemotherapy.
‘I wanted to support him somehow, and I was thinking I’m going bald anyhow so I may as well shave it off.’
Occupational therapy student Kate Kisler said she decided to use the contacts she had made at university to attract donations.
‘I’m in my third year now so I know a fair few people at uni, and I have long hair,’ she said.
‘So I thought it’d be a good opportunity to raise a lot of money for a good cause.’
Around 100, 000 people are expected to take part in the event across Australia, with Curtin having raised roughly $60,000 for leukaemia since 2003.
The team from Curtin’s on-campus hairdressers Fringe Benefits will be wielding the clippers between 11.00am-2.00pm on Thursday12 March 2009, outside the Unicredit building.
Those wanting to get involved by making a donation or by joining the Curtin team can pop into the Bentley campus’ Building 599, call Maureen Meredith on 08 9266 2118, or by donating to Curtin’s World’s Greatest Shave donation page.
