No insurance for this hair loss

Caro Gatley compares shaving her hair off to a bungy jump - it's scary, but she figures she can't really come to any harm so she'll just take a deep breath and take the leap next Thursday; and once it's over, she's sure she'll have a sense of satisfaction.

Insurance broker Caro will shave her hair off to raise funds for the Waikato Breast Cancer Trust. Caro said in her job she saw the upheaval a breast cancer diagnosis caused and, as such, wanted to raise money to support the work the trust does. She has a 10-year association with the trust.

Caro said donations were rolling in thick and fast already and she hoped to top $5000. In addition to Caro shaving her hair off, Harcourts' Brian King will run a charity auction. Up for grabs so far are signed sporting memorabilia, jewellery, wine and vouchers.

"There's no fear attached to doing this. This is nothing in comparison to what women go through who are diagnosed with breast cancer," she said. Plus, Caro's always wanted to rock a short, cropped Sharon Stone-style cut.

"There are more than 2500 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in New Zealand every year. Each working day one Waikato woman is diagnosed," said Caro. "Every woman is at risk of breast cancer. The risk increases with age and can increase further if you have a family history of breast cancer."

Caro sees the relevance breast cancer has to the insurance services she provides.

"Cancer is the most common cause of death claims, most common trauma or critical care condition and third most common cause of income protection claims," she said.

Caro will lose her locks on March 7 at The Helm on Victoria St. The event will run from 4.30pm till 6pm. Cash bar and nibbles will be served.

To attend phone Caro on 839-6477, text 021 977 489 or email caro@youradviser.co.nz by March 5.

To make a donation, please go to www.wbct.org.nz to make a donation by credit card or by depositing into the Waikato Breast Cancer Trust account 03-0318-0759308-03 reference SHAVE.

Hair goes for good cause

Amanda Foster, the Midland Region support services co-ordinator for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ, had her head shaved last Monday as part of Shave for a Cure.

Shave for a Cure is Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ's largest fundraising event. Thousands of people across the country are shaving their heads from March 4-10 to support the six Kiwis diagnosed with a blood cancer or related conditions every day.

Amanda was shaved by former patient, Gemma Nixon, Cambridge, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in August 2011.

Amanda helped Gemma deal with the loss of her long reddish-brown hair after receiving chemotherapy at Waikato Hospital.

"As a cancer nurse I've had to shave many amazing people's heads," said Amanda. "I am always impressed at how brave and inspiring these people are."

To donate to Amanda visit www.shaveforacure.co.nz/view-event-profile/7980