Orrvale Primary School teacher to ‘shave’ the world from blood cancer

Feb 21, 2020

After losing a loved one to blood cancer this week, Orrvale Primary School teacher Meredith Hendy, 58, will shave her locks for a cancer cure early next month.

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Mrs Hendy is no stranger to cancer – she survived bowel cancer at 40 – but she never lost her hair from treatments.

And while she couldn’t donate blood due to having epilepsy, Mrs Hendy said she was on a mission to "shave the world" from blood cancer.

“My focus was the fact I could help someone in the way I can,” Mrs Hendy said.

“My loved one had many things I couldn’t help with, like transfusions.”

Mrs Hendy, who has taught at Orrvale Primary School for 24 years, will be the focus of the school’s Crazy Hair Day on March 12.

She said the Orrvale Primary School had been supportive over the past 13 months when she had to take time off to care for her loved ones.

“I believe my respect in the community is fairly high and they would know where they stand with me.”

Mrs Hendy said there had been a strong response from the Greater Shepparton community.

“I’m seeing a really good response, it's coming at a time where it’s quite hard,” she said.

“People have been asking to send flowers, but donations through the web page is the most powerful way to contribute to the cause.

“I’ve never been an out-and-about fundraiser, just Mrs Hendy, the primary school teacher.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the exposure and respect.”

So far, her web page has raised more than $730, with the goal of $1000.

Mrs Hendy said on her website that every day, 35 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer, and although donating to research is improving cancer patients’ survival, an Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.

Mrs Hendy hoped her fundraiser would help to send more regionally based, cancer-affected families to the city for treatment.

Donate to Mrs Hendy's page on the World's Greatest Shave website by selecting ‘Donate to a shaver’ and searching for ‘Meredith Hendy'.