Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin
About 30 people volunteered to have their heads shaved before 200 supporters at a recent ovarian cancer fundraiser at the Denmark Boating and Angling Club.
The ‘Shaving Noggins for Suzie’ event was held as a way to show support for lifelong local Sue Sinagra who is fighting Stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Sue, who is in Perth undergoing treatment, held a simultaneous head-shaving event in Perth which was live streamed to the Denmark venue.
The event date coincided with Sue and husband Gary’s 40th wedding anniversary.
Sue spoke via video link from Perth before having her own head shaved and made an emotional thank you to the ‘loves of her life’ – her husband and her four sons.
She also said how overwhelmed she was by the generosity and support of her friends, family and the Denmark community.
“These head-shaving events all started with my niece Whitney saying she’d shave her head when I did mine and now look at how big it’s become,” Sue said.
“I’m eternally grateful for all the messages and the love and support shown to me, Gary and our family.
“I’m also thankful for the ability to help raise funds for more research into ovarian cancer.”
Sue’s long-time friend Jodie Hickey and Sue’s sister Julie Benson organised the Denmark event and Jodie said Sue had always been a big part of the Denmark community.
She was the first female to get her bronze medallion at the Den-mark Surf Club and their first female surf patrol member.
“She’s also been actively involved in loads of other sporting groups including in the local basketball association, netball and footy club,” Jodie said.
“It’s wonderful to see the care she has given the community now being given back to her in return.”
Jodie thanked the dozens of businesses and individuals who donated items for the many raffles and auctions and said it was far more than she’d ever anticipated.
She also thanked the four hairdressers, Lynda Wigley, Delana Burke, Cara Walters and Ali Benson who were kept busy for more than two hours shaving heads and beards.
More than $10,000 was raised locally in just three hours and these funds will go towards helping Sue and Gary with their financial needs.
A further $3000-plus was raised at the Perth event.
An additional $6000 was donated online for medical research into ovarian cancer bringing the total raised to $20,000.
Find lots more pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 9 March 2023.
