Teen to shave for brother's cure

Jessica Howarth is shaving her hair off for little brother Jack. In the Background are parents Kate and Grant with Mason and Lillian.

Bruce Thomas

World's Greatest Shave 2010

Hundreds of people across Australia had their hair cut, shaved or coloured for the 2010 World's Greatest Shave for a Cure, to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

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JESSICA Howarth is prepared to go bald to help support her brave little brother, Jack.

Diagnosed with leukaemia in March last year, Jack, 3, is now in remission after his chemotherapy.

In a show of sisterly love, Jess is taking part in The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave, raising money for other families who have loved ones living with leukaemia.

“I will be shaving my head on the 12th of March, which is the exact date that Jack was diagnosed last year,” Jess said.

“My family and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend this day, than showing Jack our support and raising money for a fantastic foundation that has helped our family out so much over the last year.”

Her parents, Kate and Grant, couldn’t be more proud of their daughter for supporting Jack as he enters the maintenance phase of his treatment.

“We are just so surprised, 17-year-old girls are usually quite cautious with their appearance, but for Jess this is more important, she really is a good big sister,” Mrs Howarth said.

“When Jack was diagnosed with leukaemia it was just such a big shock, we are still taking it all in, dealing with it day by day. The strength of all the kids in the cancer ward is simply amazing.”

To support the family’s fundraising visit the website.