JHC antenatal patient Krissy Vora watches on as head of obstetrics and gynaecology Cliff Neppe goes to chop the hair off doctor Hanna Nies, who is raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Camera IconJHC antenatal patient Krissy Vora watches on as head of obstetrics and gynaecology Cliff Neppe goes to chop the hair off doctor Hanna Nies, who is raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation. Credit: Supplied/Chris Kershaw Photographer

Joondalup doctor to shave hair for Leukaemia Foundation fundraiser

Staff WriterJoondalup Times

A CLOSE shave with a cancer misdiagnosis as a child reminds a Joondalup doctor how lucky she was to keep her leg.

Wrongly diagnosed with leukaemia as a child in Germany, Joondalup Health Campus doctor Hanna Nies will ‘shave for a cure’ to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“Only quick thinking by my mother, a nurse, saved me from the hasty action of a doctor who thought he’d diagnosed leukaemia from a blood sample he took from me,” Dr Nies said.

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“This doctor decided to put me on his theatre list for the following afternoon to have my right leg amputated below the knee.

“My mother insisted on seeking a second opinion and this next doctor correctly diagnosed a rare condition that had affected the bones in my foot.

“I certainly did not have leukaemia and neither did I need to have my leg amputated.

“These days I’m blessed to enjoy running, cycling, hiking, swimming.

“I realise how fortunate I am and in support of others who are not so lucky, I feel it is important to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation who do terrific work helping families affected by blood cancer.”

Having had that close shave with leukaemia in the past, Dr Nies will get a real shave on March 13, as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave, and is hoping to raise $2000 by losing all her locks.

She said her maternal grandmother and paternal great uncle in Germany died from leukaemia and her daughter’s courage to take part in a previous shave inspired her.

Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Bill Petch said money raised was critical to support families facing blood cancer.

“By signing up and raising money you are ensuring families facing blood cancer have someone to turn to every step of the way, access to the best possible care and treatment and a place to call home during treatment,” he said.

Donate here.