I’M SHAVING MY HEAD SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

Hi everyone, for those who don’t know me, I’m Emma Fitz: Cat mum, dog mum, fish mum (even though I forget we have them!), wife, aunty, sister, daughter, friend, cancer charity colleague, Eltham resident, RuPaul Drag Race mega-fan, lover of cheese.

Since I was 12 and speed-reading hundreds of books for the MS Read a thon, I’ve dedicated a fair chunk of time doing what little I can to try make the world a better place through fundraising and volunteering.

The truth is it’s getting harder:

Compassion fatigue is real – with so many causes vying for attention, it’s getting harder for people to emotionally engage and empathise, even when they care deeply.

Social media overload – in a feed full of memes, news, and family updates, charity messages often get lost in the noise. Everyone’s juggling their own life, so grabbing attention is a serious challenge.

To fundraise without a major grand gesture. The truth is I can’t run the 10km for breast cancer anymore. I can’t even do 100 metres!

So here's my grand gesture: my hair is the longest it’s ever been at 46 - so I'm gonna SHAVE IT ALL THE WAY OFF!

But it’s not just for one charity, it’s to spread the love. It’s for the charities that mean the most to me who desperately need the funding and I want to be able to distribute as following:

Challenge: Supporting Kids with Cancer. This year is my 3rd year on the Challenge Ball Committee honouring our mate Nikkers who passed away from breast cancer in 2021. Challenge is a charity who support families whole heartedly when a child is going through a cancer journey at every step. Everything they do benefits a child, a brother, a sister and a mum and/or a dad in the way they need. No ifs or buts.

Cancer Council Victoria - I don’t think many people know how much CCV is responsible for when it comes to the advancement of cancer research, prevention and support through 131120 with cancer nurses and financial counsellors on standby. Who is behind Slip Slop Slap (Seek and Slide)? Cancer Council. Quitline and advocating for smoke free workplaces and public spaces? Cancer Council. Early career cancer researcher grants? Cancer Council. Having a National Cancer Screening Register? Cancer Council. Advancements in cancer research is the reason so many friends and members of my family have survived cancer in recent years. But I’ve still lost people near and dear so that’s why continuing to invest in research is so important.

Safe + Equal: specialises in primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery in family violence without discrimination. All humans deserve to be safe in their own homes. Children need to grow up in safe and accepting environments. Hurt people hurt people, so if more people could get therapy for their trauma that would be amazing, but I’m a realist so more funding in supporting victims/survivors - children as well as partners - can also help break the cycle.

Animal Rescue is incredibly important to me after being saved by an angel , my first foster kitty (and foster fail) who helped me get through a dark time:

Lost Dogs Home who gave us our Zooey and King Salvador (both cats by the way)

9 Lives Project who we fostered all of our beautiful kittens for and who allowed Princessa Bella into our lives

House of Chances - who took a chance on big boy Gilligan and baby Skipper

Brightside Sanctuary - in southern Tasmania - Brightside do a tremendous yet heart wrenching job of advocating for and rescuing many Tassie and Aussie animals in need.

This is my 2025 goal - no hair and hoping to raise $20k in fundraising - all in the name of LOVE ❤️

How it will work - your donations will be distributed equally across the aforementioned charities and you will receive a donation receipt accordingly - please keep an eye out for updates.

Deadline is 14 September so if you're unable to donate, please share!

Details of a shave party to follow!