LEONIE BROOKHAMMER GOES BALD FOR CHARITY Leonie Brookhammer announced today that she intends to shave off her nearly waist-length hair for charity, on October 1st. ""My daughter Lucy has been in treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia since February 2008. It has been a difficult two and a half years, and Lucy has been through so much, including losing her gorgeous long hair as a result of the chemotherapy she received. At the time I would have willingly taken her place, and I always said that when our journey was over, whatever happened, I would shave off my hair."" Leonie Brookhammer says that she and Lucy will travel to Auckland Starship Hospital at the end of September to have her portacath (the silicon bubble and tube system inserted under her skin through which medication is administered) finally removed. This means the end of the monthly painful 'port access', general anesthetics and medicine regimes. It doesn't mean Lucy is totally free of the cancer forever - there will be a five year wait to hear that news. But it does symbolize the end of her chemotherapy treatment. Leonie Brookhammer says this a momentous occasion she only ever dared to dream she would see. And there are two important reasons to submit to the shave. ""Firstly, I hope to raise some funds for the three places that have helped us so much over the years, The Oncology/Haemotology (cancer) ward at Auckland Starship Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and the Children's Ward at our local Wanganui Hospital. Without the medical knowledge, dedication and skill in these places, I don't know how we could have survived. Wanganui people should know that the only option now for a local child with cancer is to go to Starship, there is no longer a Child Cancer unit in Wellington. And staying at Ronald McDonald House while in treatment is a given for most out-of-town families at some stage of the journey."" The other reason is equally personal, she says. ""During Lucy's illness, the love, concern and personal contact from people near and far got us through this dark period of our lives. While my daughter was so sick, the thousands of cards, letters, presents and the enormous and overwhelming support kept us going when things were so bleak. I want those people, who went out of their way to help a sick little girl, to know that just because her treatment has finished, I have not forgotten your kindness. This is my personal acknowledgement of your selflessness and generosity of spirit, I will never forget how much you all meant to us. To me."" The shave will take place in Majestic Square at 12.30pm on Friday 1st October, the day after brave Lucy and her proud mum return from Auckland. Donations can be made at any ANZ bank (Leonie loses it for Lucy), sponsorship pledges can be made at Indigo Cafe on Majestic Square and Oggies Cafe in Wilson Street, or through Wanganui Hospital. Leonie Brookhammer is also running a Trade Me auction. The highest bidder will have the choice of either undertaking the shave, or keeping the hair. If the choice is the shave, Leonie will donate her hair to Locks of Love, an international charity that uses donated hair to make wigs for children. There is also a website for donations http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/leonielosesitforlucy ""Losing my hair means nothing. I still have my daughter, and that means everything."" she says
