Breast-cancer survivor Sandy Wilson (centre) flanked by
head-shave volunteers (clockwise, from left) Keron Niles,
Chris Hopkins, Tzahi Grunzweig, Yin Hsien Fung, Joe
Chambers, all of the physics department. Photo by Stephen
Jaquiery.
After her breast reconstruction surgery this year, Sandy
Wilson wanted to give something back.
Ms Wilson (54), who manages the physics department at the
University of Otago, rallied 18 colleagues and well-wishers
in a mass head shave at the university yesterday to raise
money for a new bed for Dunedin Hospital breast
reconstruction surgery patients.
The group involved in the Great Physical Head Shave included
physics department members, cancer doctors and nurses, a city
council worker, and a 6-year-old boy, most of whom sported
pink tutus.
Ms Wilson had her surgery in March, about five years after
the mastectomy of her right breast, which was removed 13 days
after her cancer diagnosis.
She was grateful she was able to have her surgery in Dunedin,
where plastic surgery had only been available for about three
years.
She thanked plastic and reconstruction surgeon Patrick Lyall
for carrying out her procedure.
A "fairly brutal" surgery, the six-hour procedure used one of
the patient's abdominal muscle to form a breast.
She had wanted to find a way to thank the hospital, and Mr
Lyall suggested writing to the chief executive of the DHB,
but it did not seem sufficient, she said.
Ms Wilson said a 19th volunteer who could not attend the head
shave would go under the razor on Monday.
Well over the $5000 needed for the bed had been raised, but
the exact total was not tallied.
Extra money would also be donated to the service.
Ms Wilson has been officially cleared of her breast cancer,
which was a wonderful feeling, she said.
- eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz
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