Breast cancer survivor and Walsall Staff Nurse Justine Rees is shaving all her hair off for charity and to help fellow patients.
And Justine is giving her largest sponsor the chance to wield the clippers on her big day this Thursday 26 September at 11am in the main atrium of Walsall Manor Hospital.
The 52-year-old has worked at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust for 33 years in theatres and arrivals.
In 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after finding a lump. She had to endure chemotherapy, radiotherapy and have a mastectomy.
This was a difficult time for her but the excellent care she received in Walsall during treatment made her feel at ease.
She said: “I was really scared to go through chemo after hearing all these stories but it was actually all ok. The staff were really friendly and made me feel calm and safe.
“After chemo, however, I lost all sensation in my fingers and legs so I had hydrotherapy (water exercises) and reflexology at Walsall Palliative Care Centre in Goscote. They are both really helping in my recovery.
“I have also had Macmillan meetings which are brilliant, especially when I see Kaz here in the hospital!”
She added: “I want to shave my hair for patients and colleagues who are going through, have gone through or are no longer here due to breast cancer. I have been in their position and know what it is like. I am still physically and mentally trying to recover from my experience. Shaving my hair that I had once lost is hard but it is worthwhile if it makes people feel like they are not alone”.
Justine is losing her hair to raise money for Walsall HealthCare’s Well Wishers charity which raises money for items above and beyond what the NHS can provide.
Around 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected in its early stages.
For this reason, it’s vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their GP.
In rare cases, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.
To sponsor Justine please drop into the Purple Hub in the outpatient’s corridor of the Manor Hospital or go on to her Just Giving page.