Teen shaves her hair to raise money for child cancer

While most teenage girls are preoccupied with having perfect hair, 15-year-old Hollie Sanders, of Wellsford, is getting ready to shave her head to raise money for child cancer.

Hollie has watched close family members battle cancer, including an aunt and uncle, now both in recovery. A year ago, a friend of her mother’s lopped off her locks to raise funds for cancer research, which sparked Hollie’s idea.

“I started thinking about how I could do the same to help a cause that really concerns me,” Hollie says. “I hope the money I collect goes to help someone of my age.”

Hollie, a pupil at Kingsway School, Orewa, is waiting until the end of the school year before sister Olivia and friends Matt Balemi and Sam Powell do the deed. Saturday, December 19, looks like being the date for Hollie’s bad hair day.
She’s not fazed by how she might look – and admits that there’s “no going back, now that I’ve told family and friends”.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought, and discussed it with family. Mum’s a bit sad at the thought, but I’m not worried. I hope my hair grows back curly.”

Hollie’s father David is trying to arrange corporate sponsors to match dollar-for-dollar money raised by Hollie.

Anyone keen to be a sponsor can phone the family on 423 9498 to make a pledge.

PHOTO: Hollie Sanders, left, gets ready to loose her locks, with sister Olivia gearing up for the task.