The Seacliff Sevens Do It For Cancer!

In just a few weeks, more than 20 year seven students, and seven staff members from Seacliff Primary School are making a hairy sacrifice… and they are choosing to Do It For Cancer.

The group of boys and girls are planning to either shave their heads or chop off their ponytails, in the hope of raising $10,000—a target they’ve already exceeded—in honour of everyone they know affected by cancer, and to support staff member Cathy Stevens whose three-year-old grandson, Charlie, lost his life to cancer earlier this year.

So far, the school has raised more than $14,750 for Cancer Council SA, with one student, Charlie Dix raising an incredible $2,000 on her own to support her sister who is currently going through cancer treatment.

Participating teacher Paul Knapp said it’s an important cause that the school community has really come together to support.

“We have been proud of those that have jumped in and have emphasised that it is not about them and how they will look with a crew cut but rather, putting others needs before yours,” he explains.

“For us, the hair aspect resonates because it promotes a level of empathy with those who are undergoing treatment and have lost their hair.

“We have discussed the positive impacts that the students can have with the funds they raise through this fundraiser, including that money raised will go towards ongoing research into cancer treatments.”

Paul says that students will be asking for donations throughout term 2, before those taking part shave or cut our hair June 30 at Seacliff Primary from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, with the help of three volunteer hairdressers.

“The students are excited to be doing it for cancer, and we are proud to have two girls who are doing the full shave with the boys and several who are donating ponytails,” he says.

Cancer Council SA Project Manager—Community Fundraising, Emma McKee, says it’s great to see school communities like that of Seacliff Primary School come together to support a future free from cancer.

“Do It For Cancer fundraisers like this are a great way for people to support people whose lives have been affected by cancer,” she says.

“There are so many ways to Do It For Cancer—including doing something with your hair, doing something active, hosting an event or even giving up a bad habit—with every dollar raised going towards cancer research, information and support, advocacy and prevention initiatives.

“The best thing about Do It For Cancer fundraisers like this is that you can do it your way and make a difference.

“We’d love to see more schools, more community groups and more South Australians join in and Do It For Cancer—just like the Seacliff Sevens!

“I’m so excited to see this groups of students and teachers come together in just over a month to do something with their hair and I hope they reach their target.”

Cathy says she looks forward to being there to support the students who are participating in the hair shave, in honour of her and her grandson.

“Charlie had just had his third birthday on 25 January this year and passed away in the early hours of 27 January, after spending half his life trying to fight acute myeloid leukemia (AML),” she says.

“I think it is amazing that so many students and teachers are prepared to put themselves out to raise money for cancer research.

“There is not enough money for research, especially in childhood cancers and in cases like AML.”

To register for Do It For Cancer, or to find out more, visit https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/