SHAVING MY HAIR FOR MY FRIEND WITH BRAIN CANCER

Life has dealt my friend some pretty tough cards in the last 5 years.

(Her name will not be used for privacy reasons).

The cure for brain cancer is still a little way off, so in the meantime I am hoping to raise some money to take some financial strain off my friend and help pay for her treatment.

Hi, my name is Deni and I'll be SHAVING MY HAIR OFF at the end of October to raise funds for my friend’s BRAIN CANCER TREATMENT. I'm hoping this will inspire people to reach into their pockets, donate and help my friend in a real time of need.

A little about my friend and the cards she has been dealt:

My friend was 24 years old when she was diagnosed with brain cancer. She has been fighting the cancer now for 5 years. The tumor continues to grow in the area of her brain that deals with the function in the left side of her body. In the last 5 years she has undergone 3 separate brain surgeries, 3 rounds of chemotherapy and 3 rounds of radiation. Thanks to the last surgery she is still here with us, however, unfortunately, this surgery also caused her to have no function in her left arm or leg (similar to someone who has had a stroke). Thankfully due to neuroplasticity there is some hope for her to get some movement back and maybe use her arm and leg again. She has been attending a rehab center and slowly gaining some movement back. She has also started immunotherapy to attempt to suppress what remains of the tumor after her last surgery.

Her life has been completely taken over by this cancer. She is fighting hard every day against severe depression and is unable to do almost everything that she could do before the last brain surgery. She cannot make herself food, hug the people she loves with both arms, type a text message, get in the bath, go for a run, do yoga, do up her own pants, wash the dishes, put sheets on the bed, carry the groceries and so on and so on. The things that so many of us take for granted and don’t realise that we can do with ease have been abruptly taken away from her. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live in this way, I only see how heartbroken she is and how hard she is fighting every day.

I want to do anything within my means to help ease her load and I know that money will help ease some of the stress and help decision making easier when it comes to treatment. One thing I feel I can do is to raise money for her through shaving my hair.

**I will also be donating my hair to be made into a wig for someone else on their cancer journey.

My friend has always been thoughtful and kind and always looks for the ways she can brighten someone’s day. She is fierce and funny and unafraid to be herself. She is beautiful inside and out. She leaves funny notes for you to find, sends thoughtful letters and gifts for no reason and has always done so much for other people. I really hope that her kindness and altruism can now come back to her when she is in real need of support.

Your donation will be received with so much love and appreciation, words cannot explain. Money helps an awful lot, but also knowing there are so many beautiful humans out there willing to give support is, on its own, such a special energy. Love is such a strong force.

We thank you so incredibly much, we wish you well and we will keep you updated on my friend's journey and on my big shave!