On Wednesday, local woman Amy Baxter shaved off her long golden hair to raise awareness and funding for DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas), a rare and highly aggressive cancer found at the base of the brain.

DIPG is extremely difficult to treat and mainly attacks children, with a prognosis that is usually very short.

Joscelyn, Amy's best friend Jacinta's 13-year-old daughter, has recently been diagnosed with DIPG, prompting Amy to do something to bring awareness to the disease. Joscelyn was originally given weeks, but three months on, she is still fighting.

"I'd never heard of it prior to 3 months ago (When Joscelyn was diagnosed). I know there's a lot of other people who have never heard of it." Amy shared.

"Jacinta is one of the best mums I know and has gone above and beyond to fight for her little girl. Even abiding by the gruelling diet that Jos needs to be on so as not to feed the cancer. I know that we can't buy her (Jos) a cancer-free brain with this money, but it will show them that they are not alone in their journey."

Amy has always had long (and thick) hair, and having a shaved head was daunting, but she was glad to have something to give to show her support. Lazuli & Co Lismore shaved Amy's head for her free of charge as a contribution to her efforts. She is finding the positives, and looking forward to feeling rain on her bare head.

Last Sunday, a fundraising event was held for Joscelyn's family at Alstonville Bowls Club to aid the family in providing some wonderful experiences to their daughter and younger son with whatever time they have left together. Jacinta, who has been researching hard, has chosen to donate the funds that Amy raises from her head shave to:

1. RUN DIPG - A professor who lost his own daughter to DIPG has now dedicated his research to finding a cure so others don't have to go through the same experience they did.

 2. TBL-12 is a clinical trial using marine ingredients, including Sea Cucumbers, which works by modulating the immune system rather than treating cancer symptoms. Joscelyn has responded well so far to this trial, with the effect of the cancer on her optics receding.

Amy's goal is $10k. One friend whose daughter has Alopecia contributed $500. So, Amy had her hair carefully plaited before being cut and has donated it to the Alopecia Make a Wig Foundation as a thank-you for her generosity. Amy expressed her gratitude for any donation, however small.

Joscelyn was present at the head shave and cut the first plait from Amy's head, followed by Amy's own two boys, seven and nine years old. Amy feels that it's a good thing for her boys to experience, not only to learn about sacrifice and generosity but because it gives rise to a conversation about self-image and what that means.

(Joscelyn and Amy holding up the cut plaited locks after Amy's head shave)

You can support Amy's fundraiser for one more week at https://gofund.me/6cd5c175.