By Danielle Kutchel
In a beautiful act of sisterly love, a Clyde North early childhood educator has shaved her hair to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Mel Kelly underwent the chop after a heart-to-heart with her sister, Lisa Watson, who survived breast cancer in 2013.
As she battled the disease, Lisa underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a double mastectomy remaining “positive” and “strong” throughout.
Lisa told Mel that losing her hair was the hardest part of her journey, and that she would always donate to someone willing to shave their head for a cause.
Mel took her sister’s words to heart and came up with a fundraising idea to shave her head for the charity.
On Tuesday 15 May, family, children and fellow educators gathered at Kids on Clyde – Mel’s place of work – as Lisa took the clippers and began to shave off Mel’s long hair, which she had dyed pink for the occasion.
By the end of the afternoon, she was rocking a number four cut and had smashed her fundraising goal by more than $1000.
So far, Mel has raised over $2500 for the cause.
Lisa said she was “very proud” of Mel’s efforts.
“I just thought ‘wow, you’ve really thought about it and want to do it’,” she said of the shave.
“It’s important I think for people to experience how it feels to have no hair, because it’s a big impact on your identity and the way I felt going through cancer having no hair was that it wasn’t me.”
Michelle Thomas, manager of Kids on Clyde, said the sisters were inspiring.
She said the fundraising total had blown her away, with families, team members and connections of the centre reaching into their pockets to contribute.
“We’re a community – it’s not just one room, it’s the area, the team, the service and the community,” she explained.
“Everyone knows someone touched by cancer.”
The centre has used the opportunity to educate its children about the disease, with kids putting up pink ribbon-themed displays in their classrooms.
Michelle said Mel’s short hair would also show children that women with short hair are equally as beautiful as the archetypal long-haired princess.
“It’s really important for them to see strong women with short hair. That discussion has been had with children to break some of that bias and stigma,” she said.
The centre also ‘went pink’, with staff donning pink shirts and kids getting into the spirit by colouring their hair to keep the visual awareness of the cause going.
Meanwhile, Mel said her head felt much lighter without her long locks.
She said she hoped the funds raised would go towards making a better world for children like her two daughters, Charlie and Harper.
“All the money goes to helping our children beat it and having zero deaths,” she said.
Lisa urged anyone who hasn’t donated yet to “put your hand in your pocket” and donate.
Donations can be made at https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/melissakelly/
