CLOSE SHAVE: Suzie Marks with her son Will, who says he likes her new do. Picture: Jodie Donnellan
SUZIE Marks celebrated the unbreakable bond between mother and child yesterday when she shaved for a cure.
The Strathfieldsaye mum knows all too well the affects of cancer and hopes, that one day, it will be a thing of the past.
The past few months have been a roller coaster journey for Ms Marks and her young family.
Her son Will, 7, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma last year after discovering a lump in his cheek.
The diagnosis came as a complete shock to Ms Marks, who initially thought the growth was simply an infection.
Will is on a course of chemotherapy and is being treated at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and has only been home to Bendigo a few times since October.
Will’s experience prompted his mum to show her support by lopping her locks yesterday as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Ms Marks attracted a crowd of on-lookers as she prepared for the big shave out the front of the Strathfieldsaye Shopping Centre.
A couple of other brave shavers went first, with other people colouring their hair, and then it was Ms Marks’ turn for a close trim.
Will quickly snapped up the clippers and shaved the first few locks of hair from his mum’s head before handing over to a professional hair dresser from Heidi for Hair. The crowd cheered when they saw the finished product, with Will embracing his mum in a big hug.
“She looks good,” he said.
“I like it.”
Ms Marks said the nerves hadn’t set into until she’d sat in the chair just before the shave.
“It all happened so quickly,” she said.
“It was great to see so many friends and family come and show their support.”
Ms Marks’ shave raised more than $1500.
“We haven’t finished counting it but when I last checked online we were up to $1540 and we had a little collection box (at the shave) and there’s quite a bit in there.”
Will is currently on a break at home but will return to Melbourne for more treatment in the coming weeks.
To donate or to find our more information about the cause, visit www.leukaemia.org.au
