SHAVING their heads wasn’t something Gillian Williams and Sarah Riddell had ever considered doing until their good friend Megan McArthur was told she had breast cancer.
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Megan was diagnosed at the start of March after having a check-up at a breast screening van in Tuncurry.
Soon after, she was required to go to the Mater Hospital in Newcastle where she endured two rounds of surgery.
Megan says it feels like she’s “been on a merry go round ever since.”
“It was a massive shock,” Megan said of the diagnosis.
“It’s not what I was expecting at all.”
Gillian and Sarah were equally as shocked to hear the news and wanted to support Megan in any way they could.
Sarah, who was taught my Megan in preschool, got thinking and it wasn’t long before the pair created the Bald is Beautiful fundraiser.
“Sarah said to me one day “I think I’m going to shave my head for Megan” and I said “Well count me in too,” Gillian said.
“I worked with Megan for nine years, she was my mentor.”
“I think when you have a loved one with breast cancer it’s a lot different I’ve never been affected by cancer before,” Sarah said.
“We just wanted to feel like we could do something. When I started thinking about the shave I figured going bald is the least I can do, Megan doesn’t have a choice.”
Despite currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, Megan has an inspiring and positive attitude.
“You just have to deal with each day as it comes,” she said.
“Research into breast cancer is so important and I take my hat off to these girls.”
Sarah and Gillian will shave their heads on August 3 at the Sweat Shed in Forster at 9am as part of the Bald is Beautiful fundraiser.
They are hoping to raise as much money as possible before the big day. All proceeds will aid breast cancer research.
So far, the women have raised close to $4000 but hope to reach the $5500 mark.
Anyone can attend the day and is invited to brave the shave or colour their hair for a gold coin donation.
Donation boxes are currently at The Sweat Shed as well as Tully’s Newsagency, AvantGarde Hair Creations and Forster Health Solutions.
To find out more about the fundraiser visit: https://nationalbreastcancerfoundation.everydayhero.com/au/sarah-3
