Rathkenny woman raises a hair-raising €12,250 after shaving her head for the Irish Cancer Society

A young Rathkenny raised over €12,250 after fundraising for just over a month for the Irish Cancer Society’s Shave or Dye Campaign, pictured before and after her lovely long hair was shaved on Saturday.

The decision by the 20 year-old to chop off her lovely blonde locks was never a spur of the moment choice.

“This has been something that has been on my mind for the last couple of years," she says, explaining how cancer had affected her life from a young age," she told the Meath Chronicle before the event.

As many families are unfortunately impacted by cancer, Eva felt inspired by those who have dealt with the travesty and heartbreak. “I’ve lost some of my own family members to cancer and also just friends and family who’ve all been affected. I’ve seen pain and people being upset, it really drove me on and inspired me. A lot of people have inspired me for this.”

Of course, the Shave or Dye fundraiser by the Irish Cancer Society has two options for participants. Eva decided to shave her hair, as opposed to choosing to dye it. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I’m comfortable dying my hair mad colours. But shaving my head would be a challenge to me. I’m quite attached to my hair, as many girls would be.

The fundraiser began with a starting goal of €500 on 25th February 25th. However, as March began, the campaign had raised over €5,900 before reaching over €12,250.

Eva is extremely grateful for those who have supported her.

“I can’t express how incredibly grateful I am to those who shared and donated", she says. “Within 43 minutes, I had my goal of €500 reached. I was just so emotional at that stage. People are amazing, people want to help an amazing cause. The outcome this can have is incredible. I’m so, so happy to be able to be a part of something that could make a difference.”

“I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart. People who have supported me and donated, as I said, have gone out of their way to help me or text me. It means the world, it honestly means the world. Even people I don’t know who are texting me and donating. It just shows when something is for such a big cause, say the Irish Cancer Society, people come together.

You can donate to Eva’s Shave or Dye fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society at www.gofundme.com/f/t85n7t-shaving-my-head-for-the-irish-cancer-society

Meanwhile, an incredible €6m raised on the ‘most important Daffodil Day ever’ will fund vital services for cancer patients and life-changing research, the Irish Cancer Society has said.

The Society has confirmed that support from the public through the Late Late Show on Friday 26th and in the days leading up to Daffodil Day will allow for investment and improvements in four key areas, including: research, counselling, Night Nursing, and childhood cancers.

Due to increased demand for mental health services during the pandemic, funds raised will allow expansion of the Society’s Counselling Service. An extended local counselling fund will ensure cancer support centres nationwide can support more people affected by cancer in their community.

The generous support shown by the Irish public will also allow the Society to fund more life-changing cancer research with a pledge to significantly increase their support to Cancer Trials Ireland.