05 August 2022
On Friday 24 June, six Year 12 students took up the challenge to shave their heads as part of the World’s Greatest Shave, a fundraising event designed to help Australian families facing blood cancer.
After I lost my dad to cancer in 2018, I decided to try and make a difference at a community level. I have felt the effects firsthand of limited time with my dad through chemotherapy and endless nights in the hospital. At the time, there weren’t enough services to help my dad and that’s where I wanted to make change. The World’s Greatest Shave offered me and others an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to make a difference.
In running the World’s Greatest Shave this year, our goal was to make it personal and increase the awareness and understanding of others about cancer through one-on-one discussions in the lead up to the event.
On the day of the event, we set ourselves up outside Old School House. With some shaky weather and an hour of panic, the event was ready. Our first hero, Daniel Nguyen, took to the chair. As his head began to be shaved, we saw a flock of eager students appear. As time progressed, Binuga Pathirana, Daniel Jesudason and Jarvis Loveday all took to the shaver’s seat. Running short on lunchtime, Nicholas Koh and myself had to brave the shave with limited time remaining. Thankfully, many students and staff were able to stick around and help shear us clear until the end of lunch.
With help from the Leukemia Foundation, the total amount that was raised via the website was $12,008 and with the sales of Krispy Kreme donuts and soft drinks on the day of the event, this total was closer to $13,000. Our goal as a team of 6 was to raise $1,500 but with the support of the school and broader community, our goal was demolished.
As a team we would like to thank everyone for their kind donations, words, and response to this event. Every donation made and every smile given was fuel for the six of us to complete our mission and tackle this disease head on (pun intended). All money raised will go directly to the Leukemia Foundation and will have a positive impact on families across Australia.
No project can be complete without the help of other people though. I would like to personally thank all those who helped sell doughnuts and soft drinks and aided with the promotion of the event. I’d like to thank my five fellow students for their ongoing support and bravery. And last, but not least, I’d like to extend my thanks to Ms Antonia Mackay (Service-Learning Program Coordinator) who not only helped with the organisation of the event but managed to help me successfully bring the School together for such a great cause.
Joe Beswickz
Year 12 student