Mitchell Luders inspires friend to take part in the World's Greatest Shave

His battle began on 30 August 2011 when the nine-year-old was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive neuroblastoma in his abdomen. For four years, Mitchell fought to live and as he endured treatment his best friend, Lachlan Shannon-Brown tried to support his friend during this terrible chapter of his life.

“Although he was faced with cancer at the age of nine he never once complained. He was the kindest, bravest and most caring person you could ever meet,” Lachlan said.

“When he was diagnosed Mitchell was told by the doctors he had a year to live at best. He went on to live four years after that and died at the age of 13, and not a day goes past where I don’t miss him.”

Lachlan says Mitchell continues to influence his life and choices ... he “inspired me and gave me the strength” to recently stand to speak before St Clare’s High School students to ask for their support of his World’s Greatest Shave fundraising campaign.

He said he would shave his head and eyebrows if donations exceeded $300, and he asked students to give generously “because cancer affects just about everyone in this room in some way, so let’s end cancer. Let’s be brave and shave.”

Lachlan’s appeal saw him raise $742 and on March 14 he sat on the stage in the school’s assembly hall and his hair and eyebrows were shaved. He was not the only student to lose their locks, Odin Augey also stepped up to shave his long hair and by doing so raised more than $400.

“I originally needed a haircut, this was for a good cause and so I said to my teacher, put me in and I’ll get my head shaved!” Odin said.

The March 14 event also saw teacher Phil Gibney shave his head and teacher, Mrs Grant colour her hair. Another three boys, Joel Dark, Samuel Richardson and Macabe Grass acted to wax their legs and collectively the school raised an additional $1812. In an earlier shaving event at Mondrook Hall, student Elise Rourke raised $3836 by removing her long locks.

St Clare’s student representative council (SRC) co-ordinator Eloise Thomas praised the school community for its participation in the fundraising campaign.

“The generosity and support of staff, parents and our students was outstanding. The SRC should be proud they helped to decrease the impact of blood cancer, by funding research to find tomorrow’s cures, cures that might just save a life, cures that maybe one day will save the life of someone who is close to you.”