Chiefs’ Close Shave

Chiefs’ Close Shave

Members of the Chiefs will be shaving their heads in support of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer (LBC) New Zealands Shave for a Cure campaign.

Players from the Chiefs including Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer and Sonny Bill Williams will have their heads shaved for the campaign ahead of their home game against the Waratahs on Saturday night.

The team is right behind Shave for a Cure as they have been closely affected by cancer in many ways. Their former team doctor Zig Khouri lost his son Ben to leukaemia recently. Zig will be shaving with the team.

The event, which is sure to draw a crowd, will be held at Te Awa, The Base, in Hamilton on „Shave Truck Spike on Thursday 29 March between 12.30pm and 1.15pm.

MORE FMs Clarke Gayford and Lana Searle will be on hand to broadcast the event on Waikatos 92.2FM and MC the proceedings.

Pru Etcheverry, CEO of LBC, said, “Were delighted to have the Chiefs get involved with Shave for a Cure, it will encourage so many others to join in.”

The Chiefs will be joined by the thousands of individuals in schools, universities, businesses and community groups who are shaving their heads as part of Shave Week.

LBC receives no government funding so the money raised goes towards their core services including patient support and research.

Its not too late to register to shave – register online now www.shaveforacure.co.nz. Shaves can take place at any time of the year.

Follow Shave for a Cure on Facebook www.facebook.com/LBFNZ during Shave12.

Ends

Editor’s notes: Shave for a Cure

• Shave for a Cure is Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealands signature fundraising event

• Everyone Shaves including individuals, schools, businesses and community groups

• Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC) is the national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with blood cancers and related blood conditions.

• LBC does not receive government funding – the dollars raised from Shave help fund our core services including patient support, support and funding for research, awareness and advocacy

Key facts about blood cancers

• Every day, six New Zealanders are diagnosed with a blood cancer - thats about 2,200 New Zealanders a year

• The cause of blood cancers is unknown

• These diseases can strike anyone, of any age, at any time, without warning

• Blood cancers combined (leukaemia, lymphoma and, myeloma) are the fifth most common cancer in New Zealand

• Immediate treatment may be necessary and that treatment can go on for months or even years.

Leukaemia

• Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer.

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Lymphoma

• In New Zealand, lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer, with close to 900 people being diagnosed every year

• Lymphoma is the most common cancer affecting 15-24 year olds.

Myeloma

• Around 300 people are diagnosed with myeloma in New Zealand each year

• Pacific Islanders and Maori have a higher incidence of myeloma.

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