Searching for ways to manage and 'give meaning' to my stage 4 cancer is one of the most trying but also one of the most hopeful experiences of my life.

One of my biggest concerns, besides having to leave my precious children, has to be the effect my cancer has on family, friends and pupils who care about me. Knowing I'm ill is one thing, seeing a version of me that is even further removed from the norm would be very different and difficult to overcome. I didn't want to scare them and keeping my hair would keep both my own and their belief in my strength to persevere and beat the odds valid.

Using the Paxman Scalp Cooling Machine allowed me to keep my hair all the way through chemo treatment, giving hope to those I love and who love me; I still looked like 'me' rather than some withered shadow of my previous self. We have all lost people to cancer and I want my journey to be a message of hope.

I also want to give something meaningful back to my wonderful oncologist, Ian Sanders, and the nurses on the 5 day treatment unit of Ward 32. In order for myself to use a cool-cap machine we had to borrow the unit from the inpatient ward, depriving patients there of the use.

A dedicated system for the day patient unit would enable more people access to a system which provides hope and dignity in a taxing time. Brave the Shave isn't for everyone and although retaining your hair won't in itself beat cancer, it can help to keep your belief in beating the odds alive and strong. Believing is the 1st step to achieving.