Rotorua 13-year-old's first haircut to raise funds for cancer cure

Eliza Diamond, 13, has never cut her hair before but is shaving it for Shave for a Cure. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua 13-year-old Eliza Diamond always dreamed of growing out her long locks to shave off in support of the fight against cancer.

In just under two weeks time, her wish will become a reality.

"Anyone can suffer from cancer, I just want to try to help", Eliza said.

Many of her close family members had either suffered through or died from cancer, she said.

So, from the age of 6, Eliza made the decision, for her lost and suffering family members, that no scissors would come near her long blonde hair.

Instead, it would be used as a tool to help raise money towards finding a cure.

On March 20, Diamond will join other brave "shavees" at the Farmers Shave for a Cure to chop off her locks for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Eliza has managed to save $260 so far, just over half of her $500 goal.

Colourful homemade posters with art, facts and pictures of Eliza were hung all over the community at places like local supermarkets, workplaces and at her school.

The posters, Facebook and getting out in the community had helped her to raise awareness for the cause.

When asked how it would feel losing the heavy hair off her head, Eliza said she thought it would make her feel "free".

But instead of leaving her hair behind, she has opted to take it home with her to try sell it on TradeMe to raise even more funds.

"Hopefully whoever buys it will choose to make wigs out of it."

That would be the ideal outcome, she said.

Eliza said her mother Liz thought she was crazy, but was very proud of her.

Shave for a Cure raises funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Kate Stace from Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand said every day six people in New Zealand were diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition - that is one person every four hours.

The event was a chance to stand in solidarity with all New Zealanders who were living with blood cancer or a blood condition, she said.

"Every dollar raised is another important step in the search for a cure."

Sixteen Farmers stores around the country will hold Shave for a Cure events between March 18 and 24.

Farmers' community shave event will take place in Rotorua from 12pm to 2pm on March 20.