Sophie Conlon
Twelve Mount Gambier/ Berrin locals are rocking new hair-dos in support of their friend Naomi Manterfield.
The group of family and friends came together to shave their heads and raise money for the Cancer Council on Sunday, December 10.
Naomi’s daughter Megan Manterfield organised the event after her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 Oesophageal Cancer only four weeks ago.
Megan said it felt great to have so much support from their community as her mother battled the cancer.
“It does mean a lot, it’s been a pretty hard couple of weeks,” she said.
“We’ve got a fair few friends and family coming, all our families down from Melbourne too, which is lovely.”
Megan said when she found out her mum had the cancer she knew she wanted to shave her head to show support and raise some funds.
Naomi said she was overwhelmed when she was first told about the plan and jumped on board to get the big chop.
“I’m going to lose it all anyway, so I thought I may as well put in for the day, but my daughter’s been the inspiration of it all,” she said.
She said it had been a tough journey so far but it was not all doom and gloom.
Receiving radiation treatment in Adelaide, Naomi has spent some time at the Cancer Council lodge and said it felt great to give back to the charity which had helped her.
“They’re absolutely amazing, everything’s there,” she said.
“They cater for your needs – everything emotionally and physically.”
Having a rarer from of cancer, Naomi urged people to get to their doctors if things did not feel right.
“Oesophageal cancer is probably one of the sort of main cancers you don’t realise until it is too late,” she said.
“So if you get indigestion and heartburn and it keeps going on get it checked out because it might mean something.”
In for a fight, Naomi was glad she had her community around her.
“I haven’t lost a fight yet – that’s my motto,” she said.
With donations still to be counted, Megan was not sure how much they had been able to raise, but said it would all go to the Cancer Council.
