The World’s Greatest Shave is run by the Leukemia Foundation in March each year.  World’s Greatest Shave — or ‘Shave for a Cure!’ as it was originally called — began with the Graydon family in Lismore, Northern NSW.  Eric Graydon was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and had to move to Brisbane to access lifesaving treatment.  Eric and his family were able to stay at the Leukaemia Foundation’s ESA Patient Accommodation Village for a total of 14 months at no cost while he focused on getting better.  To show their appreciation and help others facing blood cancer — the family decided to hold the very first shave.  So in September 1998, Eric’s wife, Loma and their daughter Cathy held the first ever fundraising shave event for the Leukaemia Foundation.  Eric’s haematologist, Dr James Morton thought it was such a great idea that he challenged the Leukaemia Foundation to shave the greatest number of heads in 24 hours.  The word got out to the media — and with the support of the community, the event raised a huge $80,000 and shaved a whopping 200 heads.  With that — Shave for a Cure was born!

Each year when someone signs up to shave, cut or colour for World’s Greatest Shave, they are helping to raise awareness and money to fund Australia’s best and brightest blood cancer researchers in their quest to deliver rapid advancements in diagnosis, treatment and ultimately — a cure.

On Friday, 18 March and Monday, 21 March three teachers and eight students participated at home and at school as part of team St Clare’s in the World’s Greatest Shave.  Team St Clare’s raised a total of $3,652 through support from the St Clare’s community far and wide and from raffles held by our senior leaders for the opportunity to shave heads in styles chosen by the winner.

Thank you to all the participants, the people who supported the team for this great cause and an especially big thank you to Mrs Carolyn Smith for donating her time and skills for the shave.

Jeremy Hobbes
Teacher/Librarian