Murray Bridge mum will shave her head to help defeat blood cancer
A Murray Bridge mother whose son had leukaemia will take part in the World's Greatest Shave on March 18 to raise funds for blood cancer research.
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A Murray Bridge mother whose son had leukaemia will shave her head on March 18 to raise funds for blood cancer research.
In 2014, Karen Altschwager’s eldest son Brett was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 20.
Brett spent the next two years in and out of hospital, including a year of chemotherapy.
He survived the illness, but he was not completely out of the woods, Ms Altschwager said.
“Because Brett has a complication with a chromosome, there’s a high risk of the leukaemia returning, so research is very important to us,” she said.
“That’s why I’ve decided to take part in the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
“Eight years down the track, the more research that’s being done, the more likelihood of another successful outcome for Brett.”
Ms Altschwager’s husband Max, who will ride his motorcycle to his wife’s big shave, also shaved his head to raise money for cancer research last year.
It seems that being caring runs in the family, as Brett proved during his illness.
“Brett was very aware that he didn’t want his illness to negatively impact his adoring partner, Hannah – who was just starting her massage business – and his brothers Ryan, at uni, and Liam, who was doing year 12,” Ms Altschwager said.
“The Leukaemia Foundation also kept in touch with all of us to ensure we managed and were supported.”
Ms Altschwager’s goal is to raise $5000 for blood cancer research.
She thanked the generosity of her motorcycle club and the broader Murray Bridge community for the $4336 she had already raised at the time of publication.
Ms Altschwager will shave her head at around 10.30-11am on March 18 at Mystical Flair.
She encouraged people to view the shaving and donate: “Anyone’s welcome to see me shave my head, and they can donate on the link, or I can accept donations on their behalf on the day.”
- More information, donate: leukaemiafoundation.org.au.
Are you participating in the World’s Greatest Shave?
Murray Bridge News is happy to promote locals’ fundraising efforts.
If you’re taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave this year, let us know and we’ll either come along to see you get it done or publish your photo afterwards.
- Contact us: Email michael@murraybridge.news.
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