Townsville wife prepares to shave for a cure in support of her husband and friends

A Townsville wife is making the ultimate sacrifice for her husband to raise thousands of dollars for a good cause.

Kirstin Dobbs, Director Reef HQ, has been growing her hair for 25 years and will shave it off in support of her husband, friends and colleges who have been affected by cancer. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A Townsville wife is making the ultimate sacrifice and shaving 25 years of her life for her husband and friends to raise money for a good cause.

Kirstin Dobbs will shave her thick curly hair as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

Ms Dobbs was inspired to shave her head in support of her husband who is in remission from follicular lymphoma as well as in recognition of friends who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The Reef HQ director has chosen March 17 as the day she will take the plunge with a private ceremony organised to take place at the Townsville aquarium.

Ms Dobbs’ hairdresser of 30 years will be in control of the clippers, shaving her 50cm of hair to a number one cut.

Ms Dobbs said her selfless act was to shine a light on people battling cancer.

“There is no one out there that doesn’t have a family member, friend or colleague that hasn’t been through cancer,” she said.

“Everybody knows somebody.”

Ms Dobbs said her decision to shave her hair was in recognition of a lost friend.

“I had been talking about it for the good part of 2019 and 2020 marks the 10 year anniversary of a dear friend that passed away from cancer in 2010,” she said.

“I thought in her memory, I could raise some funds and do some good.”

The Leukaemia Foundation predicts by 2035, Australians diagnosed with blood cancer will double with 186,000 people losing their lives in the next 15 years.

Money raised by the World’s Greatest Shave will go directly towards lifesaving blood cancer research in Australia.

Ms Dobbs has raised more than $2500 of a $5000 goal since the beginning of December and said she was humbled by the response.

“I have been overwhelmed with people’s generosity and if it can help future people diagnosed with cancer, it is money raised for a good cause,” she said.

“Everyone has been so supportive telling me I am brave and ‘good on for you doing it’.”

Ms Dobbs said she will donate her hair to make wigs for people who have lost their own hair due to medical conditions.

Originally published as Townsville wife prepares to shave for a cure in support of her husband and friends