Some of you know this, others don't.

My mum had breast cancer when I was 19, during my gap year. She had 2 surgeries, chemo and radiotherapy.

She's OK now.

One of the most memorable part of all that was when her hair started falling out. It is startling; not just ending up with no hair, but the way it falls out, in clumps and lumps. It is probably one of the most tell-tale and almost iconic sign of someone going through chemotherapy.

It's been 7 years since she had her first chemotherapy treatment. A yellow drip injection that made her go "fanta coloured" quote me.

I can't imagine what it feels like for a woman to lose all her hair, on top of everything else associated with cancer. The battle for life, invasive surgery, never being the same again, the emotions of being told of something growing inside them (and not a baby!).

In a form of memorandum, a contribution in what I can do, and "for mum", I'm going to shave the rather long lock of hair (for a guy) that I've got. Clip it off long and donate that for wigs. Shave it clean. 11th of May 2019; 7 years since my mum had her first chemo injection

What does this achieve? To be honest I can't quite put my finger on it fully. Show of solidarity? To understand what it's like to be bold? To show people that it is OK to be bold? To tell them don't be ashamed, don't be embarrassed, don't be afraid? But I'm not even going through chemotherapy so it's not the same.

But I am doing it.

I'd like it if it could have a greater impact, a more meaningful one for preventing the bad things of cancer for everyone else, for the future. We know what it's like, and we don't wish it on anyone else, and we were lucky, or at least it could be a lot worse, and it is a lot worse for a lot of people. I don't want that for anyone.

Which is why I've set up a donation raise for Worldwide Cancer Research.

You don't have to know me, you don't have to like me. It's not about me. It's about the people in our lives and how it affects them, and the other people around them.

About 1 in 8 women get breast cancer in their lives in the developed world. Just think about 7 random women in your lives; don't think the 8th. Easy isn't it. Thinking of 8 is easy. The rest of the world too, of course.

It's not even just about breast cancer. It's all cancers, the hardship that people have to go through, whether it's having the cancer, or having someone close to you who does.

I have/had 4 close relatives who have had cancer. 50% survival. I do hope that is just MY luck, or there lack of, and others have had better. But looking at the statistics, it's probably not. Which is tragic. And more so for the people closer to them; my aunts, my cousins, my grandparents, my cousins' other grandparents.

I have other people close to me who have/had various cancers, too. Old, young, men, women.

This isn't for me. This isn't for my family. This is for everyone, all of you. Directly, indirectly, all of us. Our families, our friends.

If you don't want to donate, that's all right, I'm sure you have your reasons, and they'll be good reasons.

What I really would ask for though is that you at least pass this on to other people. Send them an email, comment, tag, share on social media, blogs, newsletters, give them a call, send them a letter, anything! 
Maybe you know people who've gone through these experiences. I'm sure you know a lot of varied, diverse people close by, or all over the world, who may find this worthy, or relatable. If you feel that this is a cause worth spreading, it'd be amazing to get it to all corners of the world!

If we pass onto even just 10 friends and family, and even 1 donates, and each of the 10 passes onto another 10, and those to another 10 (3 connections), we would have a thousand donations! Imagine what we can achieve with passing onto more than 10 people, and more than 1 in 10 donating!

Thank you very much for reading.

I look forward to the shave on the 11th of May.

All pictures will be uploaded.

See you all soon!