For a few years now Parul Batra has been waiting to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave and go all the way … shave her head off. But the cultural traditions in some Indian families where a woman shaves her head only on her husband’s death might have meant some resistance from the family.
Some family members even offered to donate the amount she wishes to raise without her shaving the head.
Parul firmly believes World’s Greatest Shave is not just about fundraising but the willingness to make vanity secondary for a while. Parul says if she had to lose her eyebrows and eyelashes like some cancer patients do “I don’t know if I am brave enough to face it. I have a lot of respect for cancer survivors who face this difficult experience with faith and courage.”
Cancer is not only physically and emotionally taxing but also "financially toxic” as described by Cancer Council. The Leukaemia Foundation hopes to raise $16 million during this year’s campaign – to fund research and patient support.
Parul hopes to contribute in her own small way with her husband Varun’s help and support. Varun has decided to shave too, to show his support and convince the family to get behind both of them raise funds for Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s greatest Shave (14-18 March)
