Teachers and students at Knox Grammar School are getting ready to lose their locks in the hope of raising six figures for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The goal to raise $100,000 is particularly significant as it also recognises Knox’s 100-year history.
Each year students and teachers line up to get involved and one Knox teacher who has decided to shave her long hair in support of those affected by blood cancers – Head of Learning Enhancement, Tina Moshkanbaryans – is facing the clippers for the second time.
“This year I’m taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave with a heart full of gratitude for my health and the health of my husband and children,” Ms Moshkanbaryans says.
“I’m so lucky, because that’s really all it is, dumb luck, and I’m struck by the stark injustice of blood cancers affecting so many lives, specifically the lives of children.”
Her first experience in doing the Shave was while working at Kinross Wolaroi School, where she says the reactions were “overwhelmingly positive”.
“Blood cancers are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in children in Australia and I feel strongly that if there’s something we can do to ensure that lives aren’t being lost to this, then we should,” she says.
“Whether that’s donating, volunteering, colouring, cutting or shaving our hair, every dollar raised will make a difference to the invaluable research being done by the Leukaemia Foundation. My hair will grow back, and doing this by choice is a very fortunate position to be in.”
She is urging the Knox community to get behind the cause and move the team up the fundraising ladder – at the time of publication Knox was the fifth-highest school fundraiser in the country, with more than $31,000 raised.
“I think my kids are in for a surprise this year; I’ve explained to Edie (4) what I’m doing, and she understands, but I think Hugo (2) is going to be confused!”
Another repeat participant is School Captain Zoltan Reed, who is up for his third Shave (pictured below at the event in 2021).
Zoltan is looking forward to seeing the cohort bond over the rewarding experience.
“For me more than anything, the World’s Greatest Shave is about our school community getting behind an issue that impacts thousands of Australians each day,” he says.
“Whether leukaemia has had an impact on our families or not, I believe it's in good nature to help those who are in difficult situations.”
Zoltan is joined by 87 of his peers and teachers who are colouring, cutting or going the full shave.
The team is helmed by Social Justice Head Prefect Kevin Hao and features a range of Knox boys from across the Senior School.
It is always a highlight of the school year.
“The sense of connection that all boys who do the shave have, is truly something special,” Zoltan says, adding that he is keen for Knox to hit the $100k target for the centenary.
“For me personally I would feel an incredible sense of pride in our school if we got as many boys and their families behind this fundraiser.
“Seeing my teachers’ or mates’ faces in the following days is always a laugh. I am beyond excited to raise awareness again in 2024!”
The World's Greatest Shave will be held on 15 March.
Get behind the Knox team by visiting our World's Greatest Shave team page to donate.
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