Chinville’s number one TV anchor, Bon Rurgundy, is calling on the country to help make blood cancer yesterday’s news during World’s Greatest Shave.
This year, Aussies are being urged to check in at Chinville, the home of the Leukaemia Foundation’s iconic Chins, and join the town’s free-spirited newsman in getting sponsored to shave or colour their hair on March 16-19.
There are many reasons people sign up to World’s Greatest Shave. Some have a very personal connection to blood cancer, while others take part simply to have fun and raise money for a great cause.
Blood cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives than breast cancer or melanoma. And every day another 35 people in communities across the country will be diagnosed with a blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
“It’s an unacceptable reality that an Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours,” said Dave Simms, Leukaemia Foundation Head of Fundraising. “But World’s Greatest Shave shows there are thousands of people across the nation who are passionate about raising money for this good cause.
“To help more people survive blood cancer and live a better quality of life, we urgently need to raise $17 million during World’s Greatest Shave. The money will fund more life-saving research that is finding better treatments, while giving vital emotional and practical support to families dealing with the devastation of a blood cancer diagnosis,” Mr Simms said.
Last year more than 20,000 extraordinary Australians got sponsored to shave or colour their hair during World’s Greatest Shave.
People of all ages can take part and you don’t need to shave your head to join this iconic event. Whether you shave, colour or wax the hair on your head, chest or face, your actions are making a significant difference to families whose lives have been shattered by a blood cancer diagnosis.
Learn more or sign up at worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.
Jeanette Lyons-McKinnon, Olivia Shiels
