Matt Hewson
The Leukaemia Foundation is asking Australians to get involved in the 26th World’s Greatest Shave to help relieve the financial distress of blood cancer patients and their families.
The event is the foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser, which this year aims to raise $16 million to continue supporting Australians living with blood cancer.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s estimates suggest nearly 20,000 Australians will be diagnosed with blood cancer in 2024, with that figure set to nearly double by 2035.
When Norlane woman Annie Dunn was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) she was just 21, at the time studying a diploma of early education with hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher.
“Sometimes friends and family members just don’t quite understand the cancer journey, and it took a big toll mentally, physically and emotionally,” she said.
“Also, I couldn’t work at times. That was really hard. So there were times when I actually needed help financially, to pay for food and bills.”
Fortunately, the Leukaemia Foundation was there to help Annie and her husband Matthew, providing support coordinators as well as financial assistance at times when Annie couldn’t work.
Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Chris Tanti said the combination of medical expenses and the time off work required for treatment had a “dire financial impact” on blood cancer patients and their families.
“With incidence on the rise, we’re seeing a shocking number of patients and their families reaching out to us for support as the disease financially cripples them, sometimes within weeks,” Mr Tanti said.
Annie said without the Leukaemia Foundation’s support she would “probably be a bit lost”.
“I know there are people who are far worse off than me with leukaemia, so I’m definitely grateful for their support.”
Go to worldsgreatestshave.com to register or for more information.
