Family brave the headshave to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer

Allie, Gareth and Steffan Lewis from Gomersal took part in a family headshave at the weekend to raise money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer Action. The family braved the shave in memory of Allie’s auntie and a friend of theirs, Malcom, who both sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer.

Allie has also been helping Malcom’s wife, Gillian, with some of the events she has been organising throughout the year for Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Allie says, “I am aware that people with pancreatic cancer are often diagnosed very late and then have to wait for treatment which makes it unlikely that it will be effective.

I thought that maybe if we lost our hair to raise awareness it might mean that diagnosis could be earlier, and people could have the opportunity to lose their hair as a result of getting treatment.

Since deciding to do this I have been overwhelmed by the number of people affected by this”

“Robbie at the royal oak in Ossett where we had the shave has been so generous and supportive. This is just one of 60 events that have and will be happening this year because Gillian and Malcolm would both have been 60 this year.”

The family managed to raise over £675 which smashed their £500 target.

Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just under 7% which is the lowest of any cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer.  The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns.

Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “This is such a brave thing to do and we cannot thank Allie, Gareth and Steffan enough.”

“Pancreatic cancer has a chronic lack of awareness, but it is with events like these that can really help spread the word and make a difference.”

You can still sponsor the Lewis family here www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lewisfamilyheadshave