Shaved heads to help kids

MARCIA JESSEN/Manukau Courier

JAOR-RAOSOMG: Nine-year-old Justin Solomon is shaving his head to raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation which has helped him through his own treatment.

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Justin Solomon has been through a fair amount of hair gel since he finished cancer treatment almost a year ago but he won’t need any after December 6.

That’s when he’ll have his head shaved at the Child Cancer Foundation’s "Funrazor" event in Aotea Square.

The foundation hopes to shave more than 1000 heads by registering them through its website www.funrazor.org.nz.

Nine-year-old Justin says he’s doing it "just to help out the Child Cancer Foundation and help people with cancer".

His mother Sue Solomon says Justin has grown fond of his new hairstyle so it will be difficult for him to go under the clippers.

But it’s his experience that has motivated him to "shave his lid for a kid" who may be going through a similar ordeal.

Justin was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in April, 2006. A tumour had to be removed from his left leg and he underwent a course of chemotherapy. He lost his hair for a few weeks and a metal rod was surgically implanted in his leg to replace his left femur bone.

His treatment is ongoing because the rod needs to be lengthened every six weeks using a huge magnet brought in from Australia.

When he’s 17 Justin will have a new adult-sized rod put in place.

Mrs Solomon says the help offered by the Child Cancer Foundation has been invaluable.

The family received food, petrol and cafeteria vouchers while Justin was in Starship children’s hospital. They have also been helped by dedicated support staff.

"Even when we came home they said they could help us with groceries," she says.

Mrs Solomon was amazed at the organisation’s generosity and now volunteers her own time at the foundation’s Family Place.

Justin and his siblings enjoy borrowing toys and DVD movies from the foundation but the Papatoetoe South School pupil maintains an active lifestyle too.

He is learning to play piano and enjoys swimming.

"There’s only so much he can do," says Mrs Solomon.

"You feel for him because he stands on the sideline and watches the others.

"He just wants to be normal like the other kids."

But unlike the other kids, Justin will take centre stage at Funrazor among celebrities and hopefully his favourite players from the Vodafone Warriors.

Foundation marketing manager Olivia Blaylock says the event is well worth a few strands of hair.

"In 2006 Funrazor went nationwide for the first time with more than $300,000 raised and more than 800 heads shaved in total.

"This year we’re hoping participants will raise over $500,000 to assist us in providing key services to children and families affected by childhood cancer."

People willing to shave their lid for a kid or sponsor someone who is stepping up to the barber’s chair can visit www.funrazor.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News