Gynaecological Cancer Awareness - in honour of Shirley Lei

$7,015 of $3,000 goal

Given by 167 generous donors in around 5 months

I'll be donating my hair to raise awareness for Gynaecological Cancers, a topic we need to talk more, educate ourselves & our loved ones on.

Auckland

Every year, approximately 1000 women in New Zealand are diagnosed with 1 of the 5 Gynaecological Cancers - ovarian, uterine (endometrial), vaginal, cervical or vulval.

Over 400 women in New Zealand will die from one of these cancers every year.

More often than not Gynaecological Cancers are detected far too late.

It happened to my Mum. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it was already at a terminal stage.

Her death could have been prevented. In October 2019, a tumour, the size of a golf ball was identified, but the referral for further investigation was lost in the health system. Fast forward to May 2020, in eight short months, it became terminal.

We weren't aware of Gynaecological Cancers, it’s severity, and it’s aggressive nature.

There is no screening available for 4 out of 5 Gynaecological Cancers, and the symptoms are the same as everyday pains we all experience - bloating, period cramps, lower back pain.

We can't rely on our health system, we can only rely on ourselves to speak up for our own lives.

My mum passed peacefully in July 2021 after battling and enduring the pain for over a year. She was a strong mother, friend, and woman that we will forever remember in our hearts.

We need to talk more, educate ourselves and our loved ones about Gynaecological Cancers.

I will be cutting 35-40cm of my long hair (after lockdown restrictions) to donate and provide confidence for people with permanent hair loss while supporting Talk Peach, a charity focused on raising awareness for Gynaecological Cancers and providing support for patients and families.

To educate yourself, your family and your friends on Gynaecological Cancers, please go to Talk Peach and the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation website.

Please help raise this awareness by spreading the word and thank you for your generosity.

If you would like to hear our story, you are welcomed to watch my eulogy through the link below:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SJMBOh1LTAhbAJzjAtDnIGZ922md53lD?usp=sharing

Talk Peach is also doing a fundraiser throughout September, you are welcomed to support their fundraiser in the link below too! There's a great short video introducing Gynaecological Cancers and Talk Peach.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/september-gynaecological-cancer-awareness-month?fbclid=IwAR1JON2vZlMAQypABhxoNSsiJO-nHI0f6OsB4yA3QjAx357_p2IAIdEyNGA