FORMER Healesville High School student, Jaimee Petersen is urging others to join her in raising awareness and money for research into ovarian cancer.
The 21-year-old will chop off her long blonde locks on Sunday, 18 September, for a cause she says has touched her.
“This is a cause that is very close to my heart,” she said.
Her former teacher, Sue Contarino, was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer three years ago.
“She continuously supported me and inspired me,” she said of Ms Contarino who has bravely campaigned herself to raise awareness and money to fund research into early detection of the disease.
In February she continued to inspire, walking 42 kilometres on the Warburton rail trail with friends and supporters, raising more than $12,000.
Mocha and Lime cafe and the Healesville Bendigo Community Bank are getting behind Jaimee’s efforts to smash her personal goal of raising $2000 for the cause.
Mocha and Lime in Green Street is hosting the event, starting at 11.30am, where Ms Contarino will be guest speaker.
Jaimee has been collecting prizes for a raffle on the day and is inviting people to join her as she trades her locks to make a difference.
“I am hoping to get a lot of people along on the day to help me reach my goal and to meet Ms Contarino and hear her story,” she said.
“Every donation, no matter how small, gets us one step closer to a cure.”
Donations can be made through www.mycause.com.au, search Jaimee Petersen and click the link ‘Off come the locks’.
Donation tins are also available at the Healesville Community Bank and at Mocha and Lime.
Anyone who would like to donate a prize for the raffle can contact Jaimee on 0407 384 658 or email Jaimee_petersen@hotmail.com.
