Bald & bolder for it

Bald and Bolder For It

SOPHIE Gibbons

I am bald.

Her mum had noticed it first the facial drooping, the lack of normal baby responses, perhaps even abnormal breathing. Imogen was rushed to hospital at 14 days old, Bleeding in her brain was a tumour hidden in her cerebellum. Baby Imogen was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer - congenital glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 at two weeks of age.

Imogen has never known life without cancer. Chemo, brain surgery, and procedures are the normality for her. Little Imogen isn’t even one year old, and yet she has endured more hardship and pain than most of us will endure in a lifetime.

Soon little Imogen’s story gained the attention of the surrounding community prompting people to write out their prayers on a piece of paper. People attached their prayers to solar lights and then stuck them in the Rae family’s front lawn – the effect is a dazzling display of at least 100 lights for little Imogen and her family.

It was at this point that I made my decision – I was going to do my bit and raise money for baby Imogen and shave off all my hair.

At two weeks into the fundraising, I checked the Go Fund Me page, and we had reached my original goal of 1000 dollars! Amazed my family encouraged me to increase the goal to 3000 dollars, and that is what I did. At just 24 hours until shaving day, we reached the adjusted target goal of 3000 dollars – even people I have never met were donating to the cause.

On the 25th of October, I sat in front of a Facebook live stream and finally shaved off all my hair with the help of my housemates. During the live stream, the Go Fund Me hit 6000 dollars!

Little Imogen and her mum watched the live stream from the safety of the hospital while the rest of her family watched from their home.

I have so much love and gratitude for everyone who supported this whole journey, whether it was a share, a donation, or a good wish/prayer. I am overwhelmed with the kindness of people.

I am now bald; I get weird looks wherever I go. Shaving my head was a step and a half outside of my comfort zone. But if you asked me “would you do it all again?” The answer would be one big enthusiastic “yes.”

RENÉE VAOVASA

As a kid, what did Annie want to be when she grew up? Someone our parents could finally be proud of and not embarrassed of.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value Annie taught you? Just because you dress ugly, doesn’t mean you should. She’s also taught me how to listen; she’s an incredible listener.

Who was Annie’s biggest celebrity crush as a teen? Probably one of the guys from hi-5.

If they had a catchphrase, what would it be? Sleepyhead... she’s always sleeping or daydreaming... she was also called Analyse cos she takes the cup for analysing things (high IQ stuff blah blah blah). What’s the worst trouble Annie ever got into? How did she get out of it? If she got in trouble it was probably because she didn’t vacuum the house before mum

Wo/ man

came back or boil the rice ... oh yeah and when she would cook, she would burn the cookies - every time. If Annie were a piece of food, what kind would she be? A wholesome slice of pumpkinpie What song perfectly symbolizes Annie? Ooh, that’s a hard one. Maybe the theme song of Peppa Pig If Annie had to go to jail for something, what crime would she commit? Anna would most likely be the person who was wrongly accused but went jail and served time... but she’d make friends and figure it out cos she’s smart but also friendly. Who would Annie haunt if she were a ghost? Not me... I don’t think ... I hope. Maybe my little sisters, but she’d be a friendly ghost who just wants to hang out. Lastly, what’s something hilarious that Annie has done that makes you laugh every time you talk about it? When mum told her to foil half the potatoes to bake, she foiled half of each potato and put them in the oven ... She still defends herself saying the instructions weren’t clear but WHO WRAPS HALF OF A POTATO IN FOIL AND THINKS THAT’S A THING THAT IS OKAY? HAHA!

Wo/ man As a kid, what did Annie want to be when she minds. Get them to pray more. Sister’s edition grew up? Renee wanted to be an air hostess because she liked the pretty uniforms- she also wanted to be a paramedic because of the uniforms. She likes uniforms. Lastly, what’s something hilarious that Annie has done that makes you laugh every time you talk about it? She always makes me laugh. But recently, I sent her a parody video What do you think is the most important life and she thought it was real. skill or value Annie taught you? Renee taught me how to learn. She listens and goes out and does the work. She’s smarter than people realise- and I can’t wait for her to take over the ANNALISE world. Who was Annie’s biggest celebrity crush as a teen? VAOVASA The bass singer in the Acapella group ‘voiceplay’. She likes dem pretty boys! If they had a catchphrase, what would it be? My favourite one is Ali (pronounced as Muhammad Ali). It comes from her Samoan middle name- which in English means ‘the princesses 2 houses’. What’s the worst trouble Annie ever got into? How did she get out of it? Renee is a goody-two-shoes. There’s no trouble there. Her friends, on the other hand...

If Annie were a piece of food, what kind would she be? She would be a freshly made Krispy Kreme. Fresh. Sweet. Melts in your mouth. Energising and will make you fat. You’ll hate yourself in an hour. What song perfectly symbolizes Annie? 2 voices 1 song by barbie. Sing it to her. I dare you. If Annie had to go to jail for something, what crime would she commit? Petty theft (I would say murder, but you wouldn’t catch her). Who would Annie haunt if she were a ghost? My mum and grandma. For no reason. Just to mess with their of Ivanka Trump doing parkour,