Olive raises thousands for cancer charity with sponsored head shave

Olive Finlay marked her 65th birthday with the venture at Downshire Presbyterian Church on May 21.

She was inspired to raise funds for the organisation after going through her own cancer journey. “In April 2003 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In May of that year I had major surgery, and in July I started 18 weeks of chemotherapy,” Olive said.

“At that time, treatment was carried out in the Bridgewater Suite of the Belfast City Hospital, the Regional Cancer Centre being in the early stages of construction.”

Thankfully, a few months after her chemotherapy finished, Olive was given the all-clear.

“I didn’t think I would make it to my 55th birthday, never mind my 65th. I thought what better way to thank God for the last thirteen amazing years than to shave my head and hopefully raise funds for the Friends of the Cancer Centre,” she added.

“The last time I had to shave my head, and it’s a big thing to have to do at the time. But this time I’m choosing to do it and it doesn’t hold any fears for me; at the end of the day it will grow back.

“My main aim is to help fellow cancer sufferers.”

Based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, ‘Friends’ funds life-saving and life-changing projects that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of local people affected by cancer.

Olive’s head shave has raised over £2000 for the charity; donations can still be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Olive-Finlay