A former cancer patient at Ipswich Hospital and his girlfriend are braving the trimmers to raise money and awareness for a charity that provided vital support throughout his treatment.
Luke Johnson, 19, was just 11 years old when he was diagnosed with acute lyphoblastic leukaemia in 2008 after experiencing months of ill health and fatigue.
He endured three years of treatment including aggressive chemotherapy which caused him to lose his hair and later suffer bullying when he eventually returned to school.
Luke and his family were supported by CLIC Sargent social worker Christine Bickers who provided information and emotional support, especially to Luke’s younger sister.
On September 15, two days before his 20th birthday, Luke and his girlfriend Natasha Tuck are returning to Ipswich Hospital to have their heads shaved to raise money for the charity.
“They helped me through that difficult part of my life where I wasn’t sure what would happen next,” said Luke.
“Christine helped me understand how to deal with it. She was reassuring and not only that, helped my sister who was really struggling through that time.”
The couple decided to brave the shave in September to tie-in with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“I planned to do it on my 20th birthday but I thought I would go back to the hospital to see the nurses and let them do the head shave.
“I was really cheeky to the nurses when I was on treatment so I’ve asked Sarah Smith, matron of Bergholt ward to shave my head. It’s a chance to get her own back.”
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Luke-Johnson-CLICSargent-fund
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