Smooth, hair-free underarms are so normal it’s a shock when you see a woman who isn’t bare under there.
Sydney Nurse Sylvia Tracey thought that shock factor could be turned into something good: raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Next month, Sylvia wants us to forget about our razor routine in the shower, cancel our beautician appointments and grow our underarm hair.
“Aussie men have Movember – us women need to have something unique and silly that we can do too,” Sylvia says.
“Despite all the advances, breast cancer is still the most common cancer for women in Australia. We can’t become complacent, and I think we need a new way to fundraise.”
Finding a cure is a personal mission for Sylvia. She watched her own mother die from breast cancer three decades ago. She had just graduated as a nurse, and felt guilty she was unable to help the person she loved most.
“For a year and a half, my mother got sicker and sicker, the cancer spreading throughout her body,” Sylvia says. “She was just 53 when she passed away.
“She was misdiagnosed when she first visited her GP, who told her she had a benign cyst. It was too late by the time they found she had cancer.”
Sylvia continues to work as a nurse, but wanted to honour her mother by doing something more.
“I am the same age now that she was when she died,” she says. “Women are still dying from breast cancer every day.
“A lot of people are freaked out about the idea of growing their underarm hair – I get that. But if you’re doing it to raise money for breast cancer, imagine the good you can do.”
For those too vain to stop hair removal, Sylvia has a few other options in mind. She suggests wig-wearing for charity, or hair removal for the boys.
“Wearing a bright wig to work will get you noticed, and get people talking about breast cancer,” she says. “And I haven’t forgotten the men either. Their role in Februhairy is all about removing their hair!”
Sylvia’s charity mission wants men to have their chests or underarms shaved or waxed.
“Februhairy is really for women, but I didn’t want Aussie men to feel left out, either,” she says.
“We can’t get complacent about breast cancer until women stop dying from this horrible disease. Growing your underarm hair seems like a little thing we can all do.”
National Breast Cancer Foundation CEO Carole Renouf has implored men and women across the country to get involved in Februhairy.
“Every dollar they raise helps move us one step closer to our goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030,” she says.
“We are continually inspired by the innovation, fun and enthusiasm our community fundraisers bring to breast cancer research.
“Februhairy is an example of the diversity of ways in which people fundraise for us and their commitment to Zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.”
On average, seven women die every day from breast cancer in Australia. To get involved, or donate to Februhairy, like the Facebook page. All donations received will go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
