A SHERBORNE woman cut all her hair off to raise money for an important cause close to home.
Christiana Bingley, 23, wasted no time once her mum told her she had a rare blood cancer, as she immediately signed up to be an ambassador for Blood Cancer UK to raise money and awareness of the disease.
Christiana’s mum, Miranda Broadhurst, was diagnosed with hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, or hMDS with PNH.
This is a very rare form of a blood cancer that occurs when the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough healthy blood cells – and Miranda’s specific condition is ever rarer with only around 20 people diagnosed with it in the UK.
To raise money for Blood Cancer UK, Christiana organised to have her 13-inch hair cut off at The Sherborne Barber at 56 Cheap Street yesterday (December 18).
An online fundraiser was set up – and the £1,000 target was smashed in just three days.
Christiana is now encouraging others to consider signing up to the stem cell transplant register so more lives can be saved.
“My mum was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer a couple of months ago, so I decided to become an ambassador for Blood Cancer UK as soon as I could,” she said.
“I was trying to decide what my first fundraiser should be, and as I have often cut off my hair into a bob for the Little Princess Trust, so I thought I could shave it all off and raise money for the charity that way.
“I set up the fundraiser thinking it would take at least a month, but three days later we smashed the target, which is amazing!”
Christiana was supported by her friend Elizabeth Blackledge Picture: Elizabeth Blackledge
She was supported by her mum, and her friend, Elizabeth Blackledge, on the day of the haircut.
“My hair was around 26 inches long in April before I cut 14 inches off for the Little Princess Trust,” she said.
“It’s something I do every time I grow it to a certain length.
“When I just had it cut, my hair reached about 12/13 inches, which I’m hoping will be used by the Trust, as the minimum to donate is 12 inches.
“I was slightly nervous before the haircut, but once they cut the first part, it’s hard to go back! I was so motivated by the generosity of the people who donated; I was really keen to see it through.
“I was nervous before as I love my hair but I knew this would be a great way to raise money.
“I was really surprised by the response to my fundraising. Some people donated an overwhelming amount and I can’t thank everyone enough.”
Importance of signing up to the stem cell transplant register
“I think only around 200 people in the UK have HMDS – and there’s only around 20 who have her specific version as she has a rare element to her cancer.
“It’s not easy to treat, which is why I knew I had to try and raise money.”
She added: “I don’t think people are aware of what blood cancer really is.
“It can be really confusing, as there are so many different types of blood cancer, so whilst some people think blood cancer in general is rare, blood cancer as a whole is one of the top killers in the UK, so it’s really important that money is raised for research.
Christiana regularly donates her hair to the Little Princess Trust Picture: Elizabeth Blackledge
“A lot of people with blood cancer require stem cell transplants, my mum included, as it is the only possible cure at this time.
“We need more people on the stem cell register so more matches can be found and more lives can be saved, as those living with blood cancer need to find a genetic match or twin.
“This is incredibly difficult, as only around 3% of the population are on the register.
“It’s so simple to sign up, and I hope more people will realise how important this is.
“You just don’t know how many people are affected by blood cancer. When I was getting my head shaved, one woman asked us what I was raising money for, and when I told her, she said she has leukaemia.
“There are so many people walking around with it as if it’s something that isn’t necessarily visible.”
“A stem cell transplant will give me a fighting chance of recovery”
Christiana’s mum Miranda said: “I am so very proud of her. She is so brave.
“Today was a big thing for her but she looks amazing and Sherborne Barber’s were unbelievably supportive. They felt like family and couldn’t do enough for us.”
Miranda said blood cancer and blood disorders can affect all age groups.
She added: “We often hear about leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, but within these groups are so many subtypes.
“Really, there seem to be almost as many types as there are individual sufferers, and many types seem to overlap.
“Dorset has a very dedicated and humble team of specialists who share knowledge and information across the country to ensure their patients have the best opportunities for treatment and the best outcomes.
“The Southampton stem cell transplant centre appears to be one of the best in Europe, so we are very fortunate in the resources available to us.
“My blood cancer is a very rare type.
Christiana and Miranda Picture: Elizabeth Blackledge
“I am being referred to London because there is better expertise there, but it looks as if the only treatment option for me, as with many blood cancer sufferers, is a stem cell transplant.
“This basically means my entire immune system will be wiped out, and I will be given a new immune system from a donor, assuming there is someone on the stem cell register who is a match.
“Anthony Nolan (an independent charity) is perhaps the most well-known stem cell register, but there are others, and they all work together to attract people to donate.
“Young people are particularly in demand. Mostly donations are given via blood; sometimes bone marrow is taken instead.
“It is a totally selfless thing to do, and it saves lives. It will save mine.
“My children lost most of their family by the time they were in their teens, so I have a huge responsibility to keep going for them.
“A stem cell transplant will give me a fighting chance of recovery.”
Christiana’s next challenge is to carry out a version of Blood Cancer UK’s national fundraiser – the Walk of Light – which sees thousands of people walk together to raise money to fund vital blood cancer research.
“I’ll probably be doing my own walk – and I hope to raise even more money when I do this in the spring,” Christiana added.
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