A Different Kind of Event
Halloween 2014 was the scariest one for Gaye Shaw, but not because of the witches or ghosts. On October 31st that year, Gaye had been diagnosed with breast cancer. An aggressive tumour and equally aggressive treatment meant that by New Year’s Eve her hair began to fall out. This was a very emotional for Gaye, so she could only imagine how a child going through treatment like hers must feel.
Since her treatment and recovery, Gaye has been fortunate enough to have her hair grow back beautifully, and has been letting it grow long. Now, Gaye is almost ready to have a haircut, and has decided to donate her hair to Variety, to be made in to a wig for a child, so they can have some emotional reprieve.
Along with donating her hair, Gaye has also started a mycause campaign to raise money for Blush Cancer Care, a charity aiding breast cancer patients on the Darling Downs. The goal of the campaign is to raise $3,000 for Blush Cancer Care, and Gaye has a few cards up her sleeve.
At the end of October this year, four years after Gaye’s initial diagnosis, she will have her hair cut in order to donate it. To raise more money for her cause, Gaye will hold an auction, and the highest bidder will have the honour of cutting her hair off. All the money raised in the auction will also go towards Blush Cancer Care and helping people like Gaye through their cancer journey.
Hosting an event like an auction, no matter what people may be bidding on, builds excitement and helps connect people to your cause, encouraging them to donate more and more, especially if they feel they could be getting something out of it themselves. From “win a date with” to “servant for a day” there are many things to auction that don’t cost a thing, maximising the proportion of the bid going to the charity. All it takes is getting the community together and asking them for help.
You can start a campaign and share your auction event through mycause.com.au and help a charity or cause you connect with. It takes less than two minutes.