Brett Gander had his hair shaved in support of Sheree Dodson (left) and Kelly Mitchinson, who are being treated for breast cancer. Photo / John Borren
Three friends involved with the same Tauranga cheerleading team are supporting each other after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Sheree Dodson, Kelly Mitchinson and another woman are parents of girls in the Bay Twisters cheerleading squad and all are being treated for breast cancer.
The girls in the squad yesterday ran a head shave and raised more than $200 for Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust.
Mrs Dodson and Mrs Mitchinson were diagnosed a day apart in July while the third woman was diagnosed about a month ago.
Mrs Dodson, who is also one of the team's coaches, was the first of the three women to be diagnosed but is the last to start chemotherapy due to complications with surgery.
"They've all been supporting us which has made the whole process quite light-hearted. My daughter told me I'm not allowed a purple wig, my favourite colour, when I lose my hair but the rest of the team said I could so I have their approval."
Mrs Dodson said she had been surprised when she found out about the head shave, but thought it was a great idea.
Mrs Mitchinson has had surgery and is about halfway through her chemotherapy treatments. She has lost all her hair.
"I was really lucky to be able to start chemotherapy three weeks after my mastectomy. I had no complications with the surgery, but have had complications with the chemo, I got a blood clot in my arm and am getting a port in my chest next week because my veins have had enough."
Having two friends going through the same thing was a huge help, particularly as she and the third woman were at a similar stage of treatment.
"[We] have chemo pretty much a day apart so we can ring each other or text to say 'how's your day going?'. We get all excited when we have a good day. It's nice to be able to celebrate the good days with someone who knows exactly how you feel."
She said the support from doctors, nurses and the Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust was amazing.
House of Travel (HOT) Pink Walk • October 22 at Masonic Park, The Strand from 5.30pm • Funds raised stay locally with Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust where local survivors support those newly diagnosed. • $5 entry per person
Hair goes to back cancer sufferers
In support of their parents and friends with breast cancer, the Bay Twisters yesterday raised money for breast cancer support by shaving heads.
Men from nearby businesses began lining up first thing in the morning to put money in the bucket and have their hair shorn.
Brett Gander, a sales rep from Century Yuasa Batteries, was first in the chair and had his head shaved by Mikaela Dodson, 14. The company's office is right next to the Bay Twister's premises on 3rd Ave.
Mr Gander said: "Breast cancer is such a hard thing to go through and it's so indiscriminating. I wanted to show our support for these women, they've been such good neighbours."