Rodney Stevens

When Julie Hardy woke on March 1, she was inspired to do something to help others, so she decided to honour her late husband Glenn’s memory by participating in the 2023 World’s Greatest Shave to help Australian families facing blood cancer. 

After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma aged 61, Glenn Hardy of Palmers Island passed away in 2015, after battling the illness for more than 12 months.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells found in bone marrow; a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection.

When cancerous, these abnormal plasma cells spread throughout the bone marrow so that there is not enough space to make enough normal blood cells and they form tumours. 

Myeloma is often called multiple myeloma because most people (90%) have multiple bone lesions or tumours at the time of diagnosis.

Around 2600 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Australia in 2022, which can be detected through a simple blood test.

In March 2014 Mrs Hardy said the then Clarence Valley Review (now Clarence Valley Independent) did a front-page story on Glenn’s plight. 

At that time, Mrs Hardy had her hair dyed in rainbow colours as part of the 2014 World’s Greatest Shave to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Mrs Hardy said she felt an overwhelming need to do something to raise money for others who were battling similar illnesses through the Leukemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

“Recently I’ve seen the World’s Greatest Shave advertised on TV so contacted the Leukemia Foundation,” she said.

“I felt like I needed to do something for my husband to honour his life and battle, in a positive way through helping others who are in this fight as well.

“This year I want to raise at least $1000 and when I have reached my goal, I will shave my head.”

“I am reaching out to everyone in our area who has been affected by or knows someone affected by a blood cancer to help contribute to my fundraiser, so we can help find a cure for these illnesses that have touched so many of us.”

Mrs Hardy said she hopes to raise $1000 by Friday, March 17, she will then get her head shaved at T’s Hair, Maclean, at 3pm.

To donate please visit https://worldsgreatestshave.com/donate. Search for ‘Julie Hardy’ and follow the prompts.