JCU staff and students being brave to shave
First published 13 March 2012
Several James Cook University nursing students and staff in Townsville have volunteered to shave or colour their hair, including the Head of School, as part of the World’s Greatest Shave event this week.
The surge in support for the national event comes after a third year student, who has a young family, was diagnosed with cancer last week.
The World's Greatest Shave raises funds for the work of the Leukaemia Foundation, which provides free practical and emotional support to people with blood cancer and their families, as well as investing millions in research.
Since 1998, more than a million people have shaved or coloured their hair, raising more than $120 million for the Foundation.
JCU’s Head of the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition, Associate Professor Lee Stewart, will be having her hair shaved as well, and has put out a challenge to other Heads of School in the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Molecular Sciences to provide support via donations on the day.
“I am extremely proud of our students who have organised this event, and ask for support across our Faculty on the 16th of March,” Associate Professor Stewart said.
As part of the fundraising efforts, JCU students have also organised a Yellow Shirt Day on the day, in which funds will go directly to the student and her young family.
Everyone is asked to wear a yellow shirt and give a gold coin donation. This will go to helping out the student, who is too unwell to work.
Third year Nursing student Jade Walker said it was a topic close to her heart, and she planned to go under the clippers.
“This semester, a fellow classmate was told news that no-one should ever have to hear, and has a long battle ahead of her,” she said.
“For my classmate, for my mum, for the survivors and for those who fought the hardest but are now with God – I am shaving my head. If you could support me and my fellow JCU Nursing team that would be fantastic.”
Student organiser Nikki Carlos said there would be music and a free BBQ for everyone who comes along and shows their support.
You can donate on the day or online: http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/TeamPage.aspx?Referrer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.worldsgreatestshave.com%2fsupport-2012%2f&teamID=66913
Where: Nursing Undercroft (Building 25), JCU Townsville campus
When: 11am, Friday 16 March
For interviews, photos, contact:
Di Spinks (student organiser) mobile: 0458 303 075
Nikki Carlos (third year Nursing and Midwifery student): 0410 881 603
Student Jade Walker (volunteering to shave her hair): 0429 469 515
Lee Stewart (Head of School of Nursing): tel: 4781 4261
JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175.