Watching a close friend undergo treatment for breast cancer has prompted Eltham woman Tracey Blake to have her hair shaved off on Daffodil Day.
NZME Taranaki regional sales manager Tracey Blake hopes shaving off her locks will raise around $10,000 for the Taranaki Cancer Society through a Taking on Taranaki Givealittle page.
Tracey wants to participate in the fundraiser to show support for a dear friend who is undergoing breast cancer treatment.
"Seeing what she is going through gives you a reality check. When it happens to somebody the same age and right there beside you it gives you a wakeup call."
Stratford hairdresser Jaimie Bertie, who works at Platinum Lodge, will put the clippers over Tracey's short hair next Friday afternoon at the Hits radio station in New Plymouth.
She will shave it down to a number two during a live broadcast on radio station's Facebook page.
Tracey is challenging Taranaki leaders to also get their hair shaved or dig into their pockets and donate.
She has sent out emails to leaders within the community and says it's important to spread awareness as everybody is affected by cancer in some way - with Taranaki having the fifth highest rate of cancer in New Zealand.
"It's all well and good to buy a daffodil but it's also important to put your money where your mouth is."
Tracey says a lot of women were busy working and raising a family, but tended to put their health on the back burner and it was a massive wakeup call to see somebody close go through cancer.
"Until it actually happens to you, it doesn't actually click to be honest. It's about time we click and it's time we did something about it."
Tracey says her friend is overwhelmed by the gesture and her own children are supportive.
"It's an incredibly emotional thing."
Money raised will specifically be targeted towards women and children living with cancer and every dollar raised will be distributed locally through the Taranaki Cancer Society. Tracey says although it will be a bit bizarre losing her hair, other things in life are more important.
"My hair is going to grow back but I can't replace loved ones."
Tracey Blake's hair will be shaved at The Hits Taranaki station on Friday August 25. For donations, givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/thehitstaranaki