Radical behaviour is out of character for Elise Rourke.
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She is softly spoken and efficient with words. She is gentle and moves with modesty. She is an artist, an academic talent, a voice of leadership at St Clare’s High School, and on February 24, the 15-year-old girl will sit to let friends and family cut her hair. It will be a full shave, all her hair will fall to the floor of Mondrook Hall, and she will begin an emotional journey of adjusting to an altered appearance.
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"It's a radical thing to do ... people say to me that it's really brave to shave your head, but it's easy compared to going through cancer and the treatment itself, the treatment is really hard on people," Elise said.
Elise is taking part in the Leukaemia Foundation World's Greatest Shave fundraising campaign and is hoping the community will back her bid to raise more than $1000.
I feel like I will regret it and there will be days when I won't want to leave the house.
- Elise Rourke
"The act gives them respect and shows them they are not alone in having to shave their hair off when they go through chemo and stuff, which is not nice.
“I feel like I will regret it and there will be days when I won't want to leave the house, but I've got to keep reminding myself that I've got personal connections with people who have fought with cancer.
“I've just got to keep thinking of them and remember that I’m doing this to help people who are suffering.”
It will be a milestone moment and Elise says “it's just one of the things that I've always wanted to do.”
She says her parents, Jim and Clare Rourke of Tinonee, “were surprised at first”.
“They are so supportive and encouraging and are really proud, and my sisters are excited for me.”
Elise says the cancer experiences of special people inspire her choice, she cites the death of Bobin Primary School teacher, Mr Bailey from lung cancer, and the ongoing breast cancer battle of her Aunty Lou Rourke of Wingham.
She is inviting the community to watch the shave which will be at a gig of Sofiella Watt and The Handsome Husbands at Mondrook Hall from 6pm.
“I want people to be able to see and hopefully they will also donate. It will be a great night.”
Online donations can be made on the Elise Rourke World’s Greatest Shave fundraising page.
