In August of 2017, Rebecca Hart discovered she had Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
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Mudgee Guardian’s Paige Sales, who has made a home at Mudgee since moving from Newcastle, decided she would shave her head to raise money for her dear friend.
“I hadn’t thought about it until I saw her partner (Nick) was doing it and it got me thinking that it would be an amazing thing to do,” Paige said.
“It’s a great way to raise money and show my support so I asked Nick if it would be ok for me and a couple of people to make a team and try to get the word out.”
Bec is amid a two-year treatment phase and although the growth is gone, the nature of the cancer could bring it back.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is most commonly a childhood cancer and can also affect the elderly, but for it be plaguing 28-year-old Rebecca is uncommon.
“Becky’s type of condition is very rare so my goal is to raise funds for research on it,” she said.
“There’s no specific treatment plan for people her age.”
Paige keeps in touch with Bec as often as she can but on the days they don’t talk, she takes a look through her blog which was created in September of last year.
“She’s sharing the blog around so people can know what she’s going through,” she said.
“It’s an easier way for her to constantly tell everyone what’s going because it was a very draining time for her.”
Paige is part of a five-person team that’s shaving their heads for Rebecca and it’s all happening on St Patrick’s Day.
Although the group of five are close to Rebecca, you don’t need to be in contact with a cancer patient to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave.
“Anyone can do it and it’s all for getting awareness and raising funds,” she said.
“I want to do anything that I can to even make it even the tiniest bit easier for her and let her know that we’re all here.”
The key dates for the World’s Great Shave are March 14-18 and some of Paige’s beloved Newcastle Knights players are getting an early jump on the action.
The Mudgee Guardian will live stream the big shave on Saturday March 17 VIA Facebook.