Clinical Nurses Sara Jaenke, Tracy Milne and Julie Taylor and Clinical Nurse Consultant Hazel Everett. Pic supplied.
Camera IconClinical Nurses Sara Jaenke, Tracy Milne and Julie Taylor and Clinical Nurse Consultant Hazel Everett. Pic supplied. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Subiaco oncology nurses to shave their hair for cancer

Victoria RificiWestern Suburbs Weekly

FOUR St John of God Hospital Subiaco oncology nurses will shave their hair to bring normalcy to the “unfortunate part” of hair loss that comes with cancer treatment.

Clinical nurses Sara Jaenke, Tracy Milne and Julie Taylor and clinical nurse consultant Hazel Everett will take part in World’s Greatest Shave 2020 and shave off their hair as a united front at West Leederville’s Nowhereman Brewing Co. on March 14.

Cancer Services clinical nurse consultant Mrs Everett said she and colleagues saw the fear and worry women experienced as they anticipated losing their hair because of the treatment.

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“We want to say this is a normal, unfortunate part of the treatment and to be mindful that this could happen to you or someone you know,” she said.

“We stand by them and totally understand it’s not the nicest thing and if we can make awareness of not just cancer itself, but also having to lose your hair for treatment to get a cure or results, we’re there supporting them and advocating for them as well raising funds.”

Mrs Everett said from a clinician’s standpoint, it would be hard for patients to talk to them about hair loss and for them to fully comprehend the toll it can take.

“A lot of our patients say to us I don’t want people looking at me strange and that’s something I can’t understand, but we will get a unique perspective from that going forward – maybe it will allow us to give our patients ways to cope,” she said.

The four nurses hope to raise $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, and have already raised more than half of their fundraising effort.

To donate, go to https://bit.ly/2uifEQG.