Dannevirke: Kimberley to mark 21st by shaving for cancer cause

Kimberley Stevens will celebrate her 21st birthday in June by having her head shaved to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer's Shave a Cure. Photo/Christine McKay

Everyone wonders what they will and won't remember from the night of their 21st birthday.

Tararua District Council staff member Kimberley Stevens certainly knows what she'll remember as she prepares to enter adulthood with or without her bangs - hair bangs, that is.

"As well as having an awesome night, I'm going to have my head shaved as a fundraiser for Shave for a Cure," Kimberley explained. "It's something I've always wanted to do, but never had the guts to do. It will certainly be a momentous way to end my youth."

So on a night when most girls would be getting all dolled up and wanting to look their best, Kimberley, the council's assistant district marketer, will have her hair shaved off in front of family and friends.

"Over the years I have seen friends, family and colleagues suffer from cancer and always wished there was something I personally could do to help," she said.

"I have umm-ed and ahh-ed about shaving for years and I finally decided to do it on the night of my 21st."

And there's one 21st birthday present Kimberley is looking forward to - beanies knitted by a friend.

"As well as doing this for my loved ones, I wanted to do this to make a point, not only to myself, but others who may have issues with their image. My hair has always been my lifeline. It has been every colour you can think of and it's such a huge undertaking for me to do this. I believe this will show me that I am just the same, no matter how I look - as well as teach me I can do the things I never thought I could.

"I guess you could say this is a little bit of a personal journey for me."

Starting the fundraising effort for the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer's Shave a Cure, Tararua District Council staff cooked lunch for councillors last week.

Normally lunch is brought in for councillors attending their monthly meeting but this week staff served up a delicious meal, with money going towards Kimberley's fundraiser Councillor Shirley Hull said. "It was the best lunch we've had, just delicious."

Kimberley, who lives in Woodville, has a fundraising jar at her local hairdressers, Roses Hair Care, and you can also follow a link on the internet, http://my.leukaemia.net.nz/kimber to donate