On Wednesday 16 August, Leannda Curry sat in front of family and colleagues and ‘Braved the Shave’ for Macmillan Cancer in memory of her nan.
Leannda, who lives in Llandaff North, Cardiff, had been thinking about taking part in the challenge for years, and decided that the time was right to take the step and shave her head to raise money and awareness for the charity.
Leannda, a team leader for the Out of Hours Service at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said she wanted to make a statement in the face of cancer.
Leannda said: “I wanted to do something today in memory of my nan to raise awareness of cancer. I have lost various other members of my family over the years too, and had my own breast cancer scare last year, but I was one of the lucky ladies who walked out with good news.
“Recently, my daughter lost one of her school friends and that’s just not right to lose someone so young. So that was the moment where I thought: ‘You’ve been thinking about this for years so let’s just crack on and do something.’”
Leannda had taken part in many fundraising activities before but decided she wanted to make more of a statement this time around by shaving her head.
Leannda said: “It’s quite dramatic and I think it will raise far more awareness than if I baked a cake.
“Shaving my head will make people take a look and think about why I am doing it. I am really excited to do this small thing.
“Lots of people have said I’m brave. I don’t see it as brave. I feel people who deal with cancer, go through cancer, and deal with the pain are the brave ones, and the families that support them.”
Leannda lost her nan, aged 59, to cancer thirty years ago. She has been spending time looking through old family photographs and remembering good memories, which has spurred her on to face the challenge.
She said: “Cancer is the one thing that makes us all equal. It affects everyone. You could sit in a conference hall, and I doubt there are many people in that room that have not been affected by cancer in some way.”
Leannda said she is overwhelmed by the support she has received since telling people she was doing ‘Brave the Shave’.
“My family are really proud of me and are with me today, which is amazing, and the support from work colleagues has been brilliant. I’ve had so many people say they will cut my hair on the day.
“It’s not so much the donating though, it’s the support I’ve received too. One of the managers took me to one side and said: ‘No one will think any less of you if you decide tomorrow that you can’t go through with it’. For people to take that time and be concerned about my welfare really means a lot.
“I’ve even had lovely messages from people that I have touched base with over the years at work, and have maybe only spoken to once or twice, to wish me luck.”
Leannda had her head shaved in front of family, friends and work colleagues outside Cardiff Royal Infirmary and said she was surprised that so many people turned up to show their support.
Afterwards she said: “I’m feeling brilliant. I’m glad I’ve done it. It’s over and it’s a bit weird but my head feels lovely. I look so much like my brother now it’s weird. We probably look like twins.
“My first public appearance with my bald head will be putting petrol in my car and then I’m off for lunch with my family.
“I’m excited now to see how much I have raised. So far I have exceeded the £1000 mark; I never even expected to get to £200, and I can’t thank people enough for their kind donations.”
If you would like to support Leannda you can visit her Shave Page here https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/leannda-curry
