Melanie Riley
KALANGADOO born Angela Jones, along with friend Dayl Orsom have bravely lopped their locks as part of the World’s Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The pair got together in Largs Bay in Port Adelaide along with family and friends that travelled throughout the state to support them.
Ms Jones said the shave had been a long time coming, and after agreeing more than 12 months ago that 2024 would be their year, the pair decided to “just do it.”
“I’ve been wanting to do this for about 10 years, but it hasn’t been quite right,” Ms Jones said.
“I can’t run marathons, I’m not going to climb a mountain, but can I cut my hair off? I can.”
Statistics show that 16 people per day are expected to lose their life to blood cancer or related blood disorders and with both Ms Jones and Ms Orsom knowing people effected, they wanted to be able to really make a difference.
“I was surprised myself at how many people I knew, but didn’t know that they were suffering from blood cancer,” Ms Jones said.
“I have close friends that have lymphoma, which I didn’t realise is a form of blood cancer.”
Ms Jones said her hair has always been a big deal as her distinguishing feature and hoped the shave would not only change her, but would change the lives of others.
“It’s nothing compared to what people suffer with with cancer, but that’s why it’s been such a big deal for me to do that,” Ms Jones said.
“It’s part of who you are, it’s part of how you’re seen in the world.
“It’s always been such a big part of my identity.”
Ms Jones said she didn’t let herself think too much about the shave prior to the event, and counted on Ms Orsom for encouragement.
“Dayl was very much the pep-talker,” Ms Jones said.
“This is her eighth time and she really rocks the hairdo.”
Ms Jones’ hair was sectioned off for the shave, and a few close friends donated to be able to cut a section off.
“I just surrendered to that, I think I had about half a dozen people come in and they had a hack.”
“That made me feel very vulnerable, but also, it was part of the theatre of it.”
The shave was then completed by Ms Jones’ niece and hairdresser Chelsey Wright.
Ms Jones said she is getting used to her new do, and that the shave is incomparable to the experiences of blood cancer sufferers.
“I will adapt, because I have a choice, but other people don’t,” she said.
“My hair has grown, I haven’t done anything to it, but people are saying I rock it and people are saying it looks really good and it suits me.
“It doesn’t really matter what it looks like, because it’s done, and it’s not about me.”
Ms Jones said her new do has already raised awareness and started conversations, including a neighbour sharing her experience with blood cancer with her, after hearing about the shave.
“Everyone has a story, and sharing that story lessens peoples loads at times,” Ms Jones said.
“It is amazing how many people suffer in silence, but when you appear to be similar they feel like they can talk about it.”
The pair, Orsom Angels, has so far raised almost $7000 after only a few weeks of efforts.
This has put them as one of the top fundraisers in the state for the cause.
Ms Jones has been well supported by her workplace, as well as her sister, Trudy Wright, manager at Linen House Outlet Mount Gambier, who has run raffles to assist with the fundraising efforts.
“A lot of people have come together for this,” Ms Jones said.
“I’m feeling inspired, and I’m feeling very overwhelmed at peoples generosity and acceptance.
“People have been very kind, people have donated money, time, effort, everything.”
Ms Jones hoped to bring the fundraiser total to $10,000.
“Anything towards research for blood cancer – any sort of cancer – is funds going in the right direction and supporting people that are unwell,” she said.
“If we can fast track some of these treatments, that would be amazing.”
The pair are further making an impact by donating their locks to Sustainable Salons in Sydney, where the hair will be recycled and made into booms used to soak up oil spills.
