Hair Donation for Canteen & Love Your Sister

Rosie-May P is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Updated Edit: I thought I’d let you know on the day my ATAR came out. I am thrilled to have received a Selection Rank of 94.70 from CQU/USQ and a Selection Rank of 99.95 from ANU. Though I thought my Adjustment Factors made a new ATAR, my ATAR plus Adjustment Factors make something called a Selection Rank which is what universities consider. I will therefore be pursuing Medical Science at ANU.

Thank you to Kerry from Canteen, Kristie from Love Your Sister, Dr Rob Heffernan from Toowoomba Medical Training program, Dr Alex Dunn from Gympie and all of you who have encouraged me in my passion to help address rural healthcare issues to improve the lives of all regional people (particularly vulnerable people).

Having reached my goal of $10,000 I am excited to have been invited by the charity RUNDipg at The University of Newcastle to spend some time in their research lab. Thank you to Matt and Phoebe Dun for continuing to inspire me to support those affected by childhood cancer. Please feel free to check out this incredible family’s quest to improve childhood cancer outcomes by reading Josie’s story here:

https://rundipg.org

Thank you for helping me to make a small difference to these two charities that are close to my heart. This has only been possible through the generosity of you and others, of course. Both Canteen and your Love Your Sister charity have helped me as a sibling affected by cancer.

Losing Matilda in the way we did has made me determined to try and make a difference for others. I hope to do this by studying regional Medicine where the disparities in healthcare are significant.

My school Principal, Ms Grist, at St Mary’s College, and a few very dedicated teachers have helped me on my way to realising my life’s purpose. I can’t thank them and you all enough.

Funds raised:

As far as I have worked out, Gofundme only allows only one account to be deposited in, rather than directly into two. I am currently waiting for Gofundme to verify my identity. The balance minus Gofundme fees will be deposited into an account and then divided equally to Love Your Sister and Canteen who have both provided Bank details. The transfers will be completed and I will post screenshots of both. If I receive any written acceptance I will post it on this page. Thank you all. (6-1-24)

Introduction to Fundraiser and Reason for Fundraiser:

My name is Rosie-May. I am a Year 12 student at St Mary's College, in the regional town of Maryborough, QLD.

In memory of my little sister, Matilda, I am donating my hair to raise funds for 2 cancer charities: Canteen & Love Your Sister. The Big Chop will take place at St Mary's College on August 2nd, 2023, during St Mary's College whole-school assembly. The page will remain active until the end of the month. Links to the chop itself, media coverage of the event will be posted below after 'My Story'. My thanks to St Mary's College and particularly Ms Glover and Ms Grist (Principal) for their incredible support in helping me to kick my goals. Thanks to Canteen and Love Your Sister for their personal support. Thank you to you for reading/sharing/donating.

Please support me in donating my hair to kids that need it more than I do. This is how I will honour Matilda's 10th Birthday - raising the target of $10,000 for Canteen/Love Your Sister (50/50).

$1000 for every year Matilda should have lived and celebrated in July this year.

Read our story:

Matilda and I before diagnosis...

Matilda was misdiagnosed 9 times in a regional hospital (even plastering her leg one time) and twice in a bigger hospital. Once she was finally referred to Queensland Children's Hospital I expected her to come home later that day - like she did all the other times. But she didn't and within hours my family were told she didn't just have a bad leg, Matilda was seriously unwell.

Weeks later, my funny and cute little sister was just 2 and a half years old when she was diagnosed with brain and spine cancer (ATRT). Matilda endured a month of harsh chemo - a protocol from St Jude's in Memphis. Matilda's oncologist, Dr Rick Walker, went to great lengths to ensure Matilda was kept as comfortable as possible, all whilst trying to save her which we all knew he would, of course. Matilda showed courage and determination as she dealt with the side effects of chemotherapy including mucositis, blood sugar/salt issues, platelet transfusions, blood transfusions, 14 days in ICU, brain operations, resus alarm being called due to her lack of breathing.

We saved our stockings to open around Matilda's bed and had Christmas dinner sat on the bench bed Mum slept on. Though it is gutwrenchng to remember, it is also a precious day to me because Christmas Day is the last day Matilda spoke to me.

Less than a month later a scan revealed the tumours had grown 30% whilst on chemotherapy. Matilda was given 2 days to live. My Mum held her 24/7 and after a week, the oncologist said he thought Matilda was waiting for my Mum and Dad's permission to leave as there was no medical reason why she was still here. After another 12 days, Matilda let go of Mum and went to heaven. After donating her tumours, she finally came home for her funeral. I miss her more than people could imagine.

I have promised that I will share Matilda's love and make a difference to others in her memory. Watching my beautiful little sister, Matilda, go through the effects of harsh chemotherapy and lose her hair has made me grow my hair especially for her 10th Birthday. I will donate it and raise funds for Canteen and Love Your Sister. Please will you help?

Please will you help those affected by cancer today in memory of my little sister, Matilda?

Why Canteen?

As a teenager I transferred from Camp Quality to being mentored by the organisation Canteen. Within a short time, I trained to become a Youth Leader in the Canteen Connect App which reaches young people across Australia and New Zealand affected by cancer. I was then invited to apply to train as a QLD Ambassador for the Youth Advisory Team. After being on the Youth Advisory Team for almost a year, I have recently been accepted as an Australian and New Zealand Youth Ambassador and begin my national training in Sydney this weekend. Resources for childhood cancer support are mainly in city areas, I am working with Canteen to ensure through the App we can reach every young person affected by cancer and give them the support they both deserve and need.

Why Love Your Sister?

Samuel Johnson is one of the few bereaved siblings I have met. Sam relentlessly campaigns to raise awareness for cancer in memory of his sister. Sam inspires me as I campaign to raise awareness for childhood cancer in memory of my sister. There is such little support for bereaved siblings so, as a bereaved sibling, the work Sam does is crucial.

I would be so grateful if you can celebrate Matilda's 10th Birthday with me.

More information and photos on Matilda's story:

Rosie-May's TEDx Talk on raising funds for Childhood Cancer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOj7N_IeuY4

Rosie-May's voluntary work (singing) at Queensland Children's Hospital Annual Remembrance Ceremony:

https://youtu.be/bVdCXsRUXJM