A member of theatre staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has shaved her head to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support.
As part of Macmillan’s annual Brave the Shave campaign, Miriam Cowlishaw, an Operating Department Practitioner at Royal Preston Hospital, decided to shave her head to raise money for much-needed support services for people diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.
Miriam said: “In my time working for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, I have met, lost, supported and treated many people with cancer, and I have seen many things that will never leave me. I also have family and friends who have had cancer, and Macmillan have always been a fantastic source of help and support. If shaving my head can help raise money to continue to support those with cancer and their loved ones – then bring it on!”
The shave took place on Saturday 11th January at Miriam’s home, exactly 9 years after she joined Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. As well as before and after photos, the shave was recorded live on Facebook.
Since 2015, participants of Brave the Shave have raised over £22.7 million – enough to pay for 140 Macmillan nurses for three
years.
Miriam has also donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which creates real hair wigs for children and young people with hair loss, as well as funding research into childhood cancers.
The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs for children and young people up to 24 years, who have lost their own through cancer treatment or other conditions.
Karen Partington, Chief Executive at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Miriam is doing a wonderful thing for a fantastic cause! Our staff are dedicated to providing caring and compassionate cancer treatment and this is a great example of how they go the extra mile. We wish Miriam the best of luck with the shave, an incredibly brave thing to do.”
To donate, visit https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/miriam-cowlishaw.
For further information contact Lana Fashioni, PR and Communications Officer, [email protected]