March 13 – 15 marks the 10th anniversary of the Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave.

Telstra staff around the country will be joining over 100,000 people to colour or shave their hair to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Since 2002, Telstra staff have raised in excess of $250,000 through the generosity of customers, suppliers, staff member, friends and family.

Why do we do it?

Its fun – and its very serious.

The money raised provides information and resources, education and support programmes, practical assistance, “home away from home” accommodation and transport for patients, all FREE OF CHARGE. The Leukaemia Foundation also funds critical research into these diseases to find better treatments and cures for the future.

• $55 pays for one car to transport a patient to and from treatment centres for one day
• $100 provides a family with a fully furnished “home away from home” near a treatment centre for one night
• $250 provides access for a patient and their family to attend a disease-specific education and support programme

Some basic facts:

• Around 30,000 Australians are currently living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and blood related disorders.
• Every day, around 25 Australians are diagnosed with these diseases, and every two hours, someone loses their life to blood cancer
• Leukaemia is the most common form of childhood cancer, however it mostly develops in adults
• In the past 20 years, the number of people affected by lymphoma has doubled and there is no known reason
• These diseases can affect anyone, at any age, at any time
• Often treatment starts immediately after diagnosis

So why am I telling you this? Well, I’d like you to get involved!

Along with many of our Telstra colleagues, I will be shaving my head. This is the 7th year I have participated, and it all started with a challenge.

What sort of challenge would get me to shave my head?

A day before the World’s Greatest Shave (in 2002 it was known as Shave for a Cure), a team member asked me why I wasn’t shaving my hair? I didn’t have an answer, but told her if she could raise $1,000 before lunch, I would do it (it was 10am!).

$3000 later, I had no way out! The next day I ended up with a number 1 haircut, and we put over $3,500 into the Foundations coffers.

Since then I have raised over $75,000 by shaving, having a leg and both armpits waxed, selling the rights to shave my head on ebay, and various other fun things.

How can you get involved?

Step 1. Decide if you want to shave or colour

Step 2. Chose whether you are going to do it alone or with a group of friends

Step 3. Decide where you are going to shave – at work or at one of the public events

Step 4. Collect sponsorship

Step 5. Be Brave and Shave

Step 6. Pay in the money you raise

Registration made easy:

You can register online at Worlds Greatest Shave (www.worldsgreatestshave.com) or by dropping me an email (Michael.P.Lewis@team.telstra.com) with your details and I will arrange it for you.

* Remember to put yourself into the Telstra team!

Once registered you will receive some receipt books (very important) and information on how to conduct your shave event.

How do you raise funds?

There are many ways to raise money...

• Start small, and be comfortable with your approach.
   
• Make a list of all of your friends, family and colleagues
   
• Send them an email or call them and ask for a donation for the WGS
   
• Organise a morning or afternoon tea at work for your Shave event. Charge a gold coin (or more) to attend.
   
• Casual days can also add to the funds raised. Again a gold coin to dress down for a day.
   
• Contact your local businesses – places you spend money each month – and ask them to support your fund raising.
   
• If you are a member of a sporting or social club, approach the members to support your Shave. Also, see if you can add a paragraph or two in their newsletter or weekly email.
   
• Sell chocolates! Major confectionary companies have special fund raising packs that make you 100% profit, and everyone loves the sugar boost in the afternoon.
   
• Talk your manager or supervisor into being the shave target – and solicit bids to be the one to do the shave.
   
• You are only limited by your imagination.
   
• Remember to thank everyone who donates.

Let’s make 2008 the year Telstra staff and friends make a difference to the lives of those affected by leukaemia.

If you can participate in any way (either by shaving/colouring or waxing, or by donating to the cause), we’d love to have you as part of the team.

Thanks for reading, and I promise photos of this year’s shave will be posted.