By Callum Ludwig
A Warburton resident is sporting a new look in support of the World’s Greatest Shave.
70-year-old Wendy Barasford shaved off her hair to show support for the initiative, which has run for 26 years and raised over $300 million for blood cancer research.
Ms Barasford said at her age, she feels as though she really cares for the young, especially those affected by cancer.
“I’m hoping that for me to do this is in support of anyone who goes through cancer or has been touched by cancer, that we, the older generation, want a better place for you,” she said.
“I haven’t seen many older women do it, I don’t know why, but I hope that by doing it I can encourage some other older people to do it too.”
Ms Barasford is now sporting a number three all over, courtesy of the Induldge and Pamper Me salon in Warburton.
Ms Barasford said she felt like she had to do something about it for all the people she knows who have had cancer and for everyone who will.
“I’ve been touched by cancer, my husband just had cancer because it came back two years ago and I had a friend just die because of it,” she said.
“I have three grandsons, they’re 18, 11 and 5 and we’re so grateful and one day I hope cancer isn’t a word they have to think about,”
“One thing that really struck me was when I visited a friend in Millgrove who is in her 50s and we spoke about cancer because she has terminal cancer, and what struck me the most was when she looked me in the eyes and said ‘I am dying, Wendy, I am actually dying and there is no cure’ and there was nothing to left to say.”
The Leukaemia Foundation which runs the World’s Greatest Shave shared that over 140,000 Australian families are affected by blood cancer right now, with 16 Australians being killed by the disease every day.
What did Ms Barasford think of her new trim?
“I feel great and it looks alright, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I’ve done it and I’m really happy about it,” she said.
