Brightly coloured hair and some very big smiles was the theme when St Joseph's Catholic Primary School participated in Crazy Hair Day this week.
The Leukaemia Foundation fundraiser event was organised by teacher Emma Robinson and raised $500 towards the cause.
“The thought and preparation that went into some of the hairstyles was so creative and truly amazing!” Emma said.
“Parents were so generous with their time and also the donations they made.
“This year we set up a coloured hair spray station where students could pay for their hair to be sprayed all colours of the rainbow. This was a real hit!”
Emma said The Leukaemia Foundation was a very important cause to her personally.
“Two years ago my father was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia). It was very unexpected, as there were no symptoms,” she said.
“My parents had gone to Brisbane for my father to receive tests and they ended up being there for a whole year.
“During that time, the Leukaemia Foundation provided my parents with accommodation, travel to and from the hospital every day and many other forms of support.
“Our family feels very blessed that my Dad received a bone marrow and is in remission.”
Emma said when visiting her Dad in hospital, the seriousness of his illness became apparent.
“This disease does not discriminate and there were so many people, young and old, from all walks of life, who were affected by this disease,” she said.
“I was in awe of what the Leukaemia Foundation does for the patients and their family.”
In Australia blood cancer is one of the Top 4 most frequently diagnosed cancers and is one of the leading causes of death by cancer in the country.
Emma said the Leukemia Foundation has set a goal of ‘zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035′.
“As someone who has seen the true affects that leukemia has on people, I just felt that I had to do my bit to help to achieve that goal,” she said.
This year, Catholic Schools and Colleges in Bundaberg including Shalom, St Patrick’s and St Mary's, have also organised to fundraise for the Leukaemia Foundation through Crazy Hair Days and fundraisers.
“I really appreciate everyone supporting such a wonderful foundation, I truly believe that every dollar makes a difference,” Emma said.
To donate just head to Shave for a Cure and make a donation to the Bundaberg Catholic Schools Team.
