THREE young people from St Joseph’s Parish, Bracken Ridge, on Brisbane’s northside, are feeling the chill a little more after taking part in the Leukaemia Foundation’s Shave for a Cure on May 7.
Mary Turner, 17, and Aaron Chambalo, 18, and Josh DeGee, 18, had their locks shorn at the back of St Joseph’s Church after Mass to raise money for cancer research.
The trio raised more than $3000.
Mary said the effects of leukaemia had impacted on the lives of the trio and fellow parishioners.
Mary’s sister, Sophie, was the driving force behind Mary’s decision to shave her head.
She said Sophie had fought leukaemia for nearly three years but passed away in January 2002.
“Losing my sister was the most devastating experience of my life,” Mary said.
Josh and Aaron were also influenced to shave their hair after a classmate from primary school passed away in 2001 from the disease.
“Knowing people with leukaemia has given me an insight into their everyday struggles,” Josh said.
“I hope that in being part of the world’s greatest shave we have contributed to a future in which lives may be made easier for leukaemia patients and those caring for them,” Aaron said.
Mary said: “We challenged our parishioners to help us raise $2000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.”
She said all their expectations were exceeded during the final weekend when they discovered that they had surpassed the target, raising $3097.
