WHEN her mother was diagnosed with breast and pancreatic cancer, 39-year-old Melissa Temov wanted to give hope to other WA families affected by the disease.
“I decided to do a head shave for two reasons,” the Sorrento resident said.
“The first was to support and join my mum in shaving her head so she wasn’t alone in losing her hair and the second was to put money towards research to help find a cure for cancer.
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READ NOW“It was devastating to know mum had this diagnosis but I feel so grateful that it was treatable and she was on board with a positive attitude, ready to do everything she can to fight this disease.”
When Mrs Temov told her mother Silvana Spadaccini about her idea of shaving her head to raise funds, she was overwhelmed.
“She burst into tears when I told her what I was planning to do,” she said.
“She wasn’t on board until I explained why I wanted to do it – for love and for a cure – then she embraced the idea.”
Supported by her family and friends, Mrs Temov initially set her fundraising goal at $5000 but said the support she received blew the family away.
“My son Levi (9) decided he would shave his head if we raised $10,000 and Jake (7), who loves longer hair, said he would shave his head if it got to $15,000,” she said.
Mrs Temov’s family and friends went on to raise $18,796 and along with husband and dad Michael, they shaved their heads.
The funds raised will go to Cancer Council WA.
N Next month is breast cancer awareness month and Mrs Temov is urging others to help raise funds and awareness for women’s cancers through their Girls’ Night In campaign.
Visit www.girlsnightin.com.au.