Shave & Raise - donating my hair and raising awareness for mental and physical health struggles that go unseen.

I am shaving my head for Women's Refuge NZ, Endometriosis NZ, and Lung Foundation NZ. My hair will be donated to Freedom Hair (https://www.freedomwigs.com/) which creates wigs for anyone suffering from hair loss. It takes 15-25 ponytails to create one wig!

Why am I donating to these three charities?

Several people in my life have been victims of relationship abuse, suffered from endometriosis, or were diagnosed with different cancers. Not to mention, I suffered from endometriosis as a teenager up until recently, and having experienced emotional abuse, this is a significant moment for me.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 New Zealanders who have vulvas, 1 in 3 (35%) New Zealand women have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. When psychological/emotional abuse is included, 55% have experienced IPV in their lifetime. Lung cancer kills five times as many people as road crashes. More than melanoma, prostate, and breast cancer combined.

To stand alongside people in my life and to see the limitations of our knowledge and awareness within our communities, and our health services have been devastating. In shaving my hair, I hope to raise funds for these critical organisations and highlight the need for greater education and awareness on these topics.