"We then started on a rollercoaster of five weeks in Auckland for the first round of treatment, which was pretty awful. The medications made him experience nerve pains in his limbs and he gained 5kg, was irritable, grumpy and constantly hungry."
The toddler could not walk for a month as his feet and limbs were too weak and painful. His hair fell out and he demanded food 24 hours a day.
"Nothing like waking to cook steak at 3am," Ms Hare said. "We spent Christmas in Ronald McDonald House. At the end of the first month Olly was considered to be in remission and down-graded from 'standard risk' to 'low risk' of the cancer coming back."
On arrival back to Palmerston North, Olly was admitted to hospital for an infection in his permanent intravenous line.
The next few months included weekly visits to Starship, then every 10 days.
"He's been pretty well since," Ms Hare said. "We are about to start the next phase of intensive treatment. Although in remission, he will have treatment for the next three years."
She and Danniel first discussed having their heads shaved when Olly was first diagnosed.
"I think it was born out of feeling helpless and wanting to show Olly solidarity. The Shave for a Cure campaign hadn't actually occurred to either of us until I saw a post come up on Facebook and I signed us up on the spot without giving it much thought.
"I have had people question why I was doing it considering the money doesn't go to Child Cancer. Solidarity with Olly came first and the fundraising was an added incentive."
Joining her for the local event was PORSE educator Cheryl Stacey. She decided to give the event a go in honour of her mother who succumbed to cancer eight years ago.
Clearly emotional, Ms Stacey said her participation came about for a number of reasons.
"I wanted to try and raise money to help support people living with cancer. I just see too much of it going on. I was also inspired by my own mum."
Ms Stacey was just 15 when her mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer. After a 14-year battle, she passed away when Ms Stacey was 23.
Now 37, she said she had wanted to do the shave previously but had been too young and too vain.
"Even though the money doesn't go to breast cancer, it does go to supporting families - and that's just as hard.
"I was really fortunate to be offered support by the hospice and I think there is so much more available today."
Ms Stacey witnessed a lot of what her mother endured and said this has helped her empathise with others on a similar journey.
"This really spurred me on to help because no matter how much you think you'd be prepared, you never are. No one should have to go through this."
On the day, Ms Stacey was supported by her own 16-year-old daughter.
"She was very emotional and I think that's what kept me together. It wasn't until the next day it hit me - every time I looked in the mirror and saw my hair, I thought of mum."
