Shave for a Cure

Jakob hair-raises cash for cancer Saturday, April 16, 2011 • Sophie Rishworth
IN front of a packed school assembly, Jakob Brown had a close shave.
The Mangapapa School student had good reason — he collected $1492 in sponsorship for the Shave11 campaign to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.
After a fast-paced week-long fundraiser that involved Facebook, a street collection and the school community, 10-year-old Jakob sat on stage and lost his hair as a sign of solidarity for those living with a form of blood cancer.
His mum Debbie said Jakob came up with the idea to do the head shave after seeing an advertisement for the Shave11 campaign on television.
“People have been so supportive and generous.”
After setting his goal of $1000, Jakob signed up online and eclipsed the target by almost $500. People were quick to support the cause and help a foundation that gets no Government funding.
When he reached the $500 mark, a T-shirt was sent by the promoters of Shave11 that helped to encourage his campaign.
Hairdresser Chris Whibley from The Cut Bar donated her time for the event. She made the close shave fun and removed Jakob’s hair in interesting patterns, to the delight of the students, parents and teachers there to watch at the school’s final assembly for term one.
Jakob was nervous before the event but came off the stage with a huge grin.
The money will go towards the Shave for a Cure campaign to raise money for people with leukaemia and blood cancer.
The first campaign was launched in 1999 and has grown into a national movement that this year was called Shave11. About 10,000 New Zealanders live with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related condition.