John Dunne has managed to grow quite a crop of hair over the past year, and Saturday week it will all be shaved off.
The sixth-generation grazier who runs organic beef at Mimosa Park, Duaringa, is taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave on December 12.
Money raised is going to the Leukaemia Foundation, which has supported his brother-in-law, Nick Bridgeman, through a four-year battle. (Click here to make a donation.)
“Coming from a farming background, I thought you have to grow a crop before you harvest it,” he said of his impressive hair.
Mr Dunne said it was thanks to the foundation that his in-laws Peter and Sue Bridgeman, Gracemere, were able to relocate to Brisbane during Nick’s treatment.
Nick was first diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2010 when “ he was a young, fit fella and it hit him out of the blue”.
After treatment and a period of what they thought was remission, Nick hit a speed bump last year and had a relapse.
This is when Mr Dunne decided to grow his hair and beard as a fundraiser, and it will be a year to the day that he shaves it all off.
“My in-laws moved down to Brisbane because they needed to look after Nick during his treatment, and the Leukaemia Foundation provided them accommodation and support,” Mr Dunne said.
“I want people to know that we are not forgotten about in regional Queensland. There are people to help, and it’s a good thing.”
Although cancer services are coming to the region - the Rockhampton Hospital’s Cancer Services Building opened in October and will provide treatment to about 500 central Queenslanders a year - support from organisations like the Leukaemia Foundation was the next best thing, Mr Dunne said.
“Up until now, if someone in regional Queensland has cancer, your family member has to give up their job and relocate to Brisbane, look for accommodation, negotiate transport and get used to the logistics.”
On Saturday at the CQ Leagues Club, Rockhampton, Mr Dunne, with wife Alicia and their three children aged four, two and three months, will celebrate the big shave with a bit of a shindig.
“It will be interesting to see how my kids react,” Mr Dunne laughed.
Nick, who is turning 30, is currently on the mend but it will take a few more years to know whether he is in remission.
“It’s a pretty long journey, and you just take small steps as you go. He’s heading in the right direction at the moment.”
It was times like this that you realise nothing is as precious in this world as family, Mr Dunne said.
