Tristans Story – Raising Money for Cancer Research.
Tristan with is normal blond locks.
Tristan after dying his hair black.
Tristan with Vanessa after having his head shaved, raising money for cancer research.
Sadly Tristan Prendergast, year 6 student at Mt Mee State School, never got to know his paternal grandfather, Peter. In 2000 Peter passed away after a short battle with cancer. Tristan and his brother Will have only gotten to know of their grandfather through the many stories their father Trent has shared with them of his years growing up with a devoted and much missed father, and of course, Peter’s photo, which has hung on the wall of their home since before the boys were born.
Since he was old enough to understand the impact not having Peter around has had on their family’s life, Tristan has wanted to raise money for research into a cure for cancer. In more recent times, cancer has affected his life in other ways. A close family friend, Sam McGann, was diagnosed with breast cancer, an uncle passed away earlier this year, and more recently, he became aware of Harry Bowes diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
In 2014 another family friend and past student of Mt Mee SS, Caitlyn Heathwood, had her head shaved also to raise money for the Cancer Council, and so Tristan has chosen to ‘Shave for Cancer’ as a way of drawing attention to his fund raising support for the Queensland Cancer Council’s ‘Do It For Cancer’. Tristan, who is a natural blond, decided to push his luck and convinced Mum, Amanda, that since his hair was to be shaved anyway, it was the ideal time for him to ‘go black’. So during the recent September school holidays, yet another family friend (and qualified hairdresser) Vanessa, did the deed and Tristan returned to school this term sporting a new hairdo. The new look has of course had quite an impact on family and friends and drawn even more attention to his fundraising cause. Tristan reached and exceeded his goal of raising $1000.
Hairdresser Vanessa has had one more important task to perform for Tristan – she had the rather enviable job of taking to the shears and removing raven black hair at Mt Mee School’s Assembly recently.
To donate to this worthy cause, and help Tristan further exceed his goal of $1000 donations, go to www.doitforcancer.com.au and search for Tristan Prendergast. *
