Kathy's Bald Move Katherine Guarino

Meet Sophie. After discovering she had the mutated BRCA gene, to prevent herself from getting breast cancer, Sophie made the brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy. Just one year after her surgery, Sophie received the devastating news, that she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Although Sophie had done all she could to lessen her chances of getting cancer, ultimately she was diagnosed with blood cancer, a type of cancer which is not preventable.
Sadly, Sophie lost her fertility as a result of her treatment and is now considered to be in the early stages of menopause. She is currently in remission and discusses what helped her through her treatment journey and what helps now, as she adjusts to life post cancer.
Sophie is currently hiking the Heysen Trail in South Australia - a massive 1.200km - in order to raise awareness and funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. She hopes to complete the trek on the 20th of October, the second anniversary of her stem cell transplant, also known as her rebirthday.
If you would like to donate to Sophie’s cause, click here, you can also follow her progress on her Instagram page.
If you or someone you love is going through blood cancer, you can reach out to the Leukaemia Foundation on 1800 620 420, or visit their website leukaemia.org.au.
Or join the tens of thousands of people partaking in Light the Night on the 16th of October, for more information or to register, visit lightthenight.org.au.

Meet Jacinta. Her daughter Daisy was just four months old when she was diagnosed with Pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer. Leading up to Daisy’s diagnosis, there were no really recognisable symptoms that would point to something so serious, which is why it was so important for Jacinta to share their story and raise awareness for not only blood cancer, but childhood cancer.

After spending 240 days in hospital for intensive treatment, including four rounds of chemotherapy and a few setbacks along the way, Daisy finally completed her treatment in January this year. Jacinta shares the challenging parts of their journey, such as what it was like living on the ward away from her husband and son Jack for the greater part of nine months and the aspects that got her through, such as the strong connections she formed with other family’s living on the ward.

https://www.leukaemia.org.au/stories/baby-daisy-spends-first-year-conquering-blood-cancer/

If you would like to learn more about the Leukaemia Foundation, click here.

If you would like to donate to our World’s Greatest Shave campaign, you can donate until June 30, 2021 by clicking this link.

Today marks the beginning of Shave Week for the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave campaign for 2021, so what better time to announce that Kathy's Bald Move will be returning with a second season.⁣

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⁣There are more incredible stories to be told from those who were brave enough to share their stories.⁣

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⁣If you would like to donate to our World's Greatest Shave campaign, you can donate until June 30, 2021 by clicking this link or if you would like to learn more about our team Kathy's Bald Move, you can follow @kathysbaldmove on Instagram or Facebook.

In Kathy's Bald Move's final episode for Season One, you will meet Kathryn. Kathryn started working as a nurse on the bone marrow transplant ward, and soon realised what she loved most about her role, was building relationships with those patients impacted by cancer. This realisation is what ultimately led her to her role at the Leukaemia Foundation. ⁣ ⁣

Kathryn's compassionate nature and nursing background is what makes her so wonderful at her job. She is now the General Manager for People Living with Blood Cancer at the Leukaemia Foundation, where she and her team of incredible cancer support workers make a real difference to the lives of those impacted by blood cancer. ⁣ ⁣

In this special episode, Kathryn provided me with more information about what blood cancer is, how your generous donations are being used to help those living with blood cancer, and ways you can support those impacted by blood cancer without donating money. ⁣ ⁣

For all those who have supported Kathy's Bald Move, thank you. I hope this episode shows you the massive difference you are making for the blood cancer community. ⁣ ⁣

Click here to learn more about the Leukaemia Foundation or if you would like to read the Leukaemia Foundation's State of the Nation Report, click here.

Information on becoming a blood or plasma donor through Lifeblood Australia.

Information about becoming a bone marrow donor through Strength to Give.

If you would like to donate to our World's Greatest Shave campaign, you can donate until June 30, 2021 by clicking this link or if you would like to learn more about our team Kathy's Bald Move, you can follow @kathysbaldmove on Instagram or Facebook.

Meet Christine. Chris was never able to do self-breast checks due to having what an ultrasound technician referred to as a "lumpy and bumpy chest." Because of this, she made sure she had her regular mammograms and it was fortunate she did, as there were no symptoms leading up to her diagnosis of stage three breast cancer. 

It's now been eleven years since Chris went through her treatment for breast cancer. Chris is remarkably perceptive and this ability helped her through the more trying times throughout her journey. She shares the tips that helped her along the way, such as why you should wear black nail polish during radiation treatment, why it's worth giving the "Looking Good, Feeling Better" sessions a go and why you should never have a mammogram on a Friday. 


If you would like to learn more information about how to do a breast cancer self-exam, click here and if you would like to know more about mammograms, click here.

Click here if you would like to look at the resources on the Cancer Council website.

If you would like to donate to our World’s Greatest Shave campaign, you can donate until June 30, 2021 by clicking this link.

If you would like to learn more about our team Kathy’s Bald Move, you can follow @kathysbaldmove on Instagram or Facebook.

Time and time again on the podcast, we have mentioned that cancer first and foremost represents uncertainty. The guests on Kathy's Bald Move have often commented that after receiving a cancer diagnosis, it's impossible to prepare yourself, because how can you prepare for the unknown?

Meet Cassandra. Cassandra is a psychologist. She works mainly with women and children and she specialises in anxiety.

In this special episode, I asked Cassandra for some advice and strategies to help others navigate their cancer journey.

You can find Cassandra Scicluna on Facebook, Instagram, or via email at cmscicluna@gmail.com

Information on how to Find a Psychologist in Australia.

Lifeline Australia.

Click here if you would like to look at the resources on the Cancer Council website.

If you would like to donate to our World’s Greatest Shave campaign, you can donate until June 30, 2021 by clicking this link.

If you would like to learn more about our team Kathy’s Bald Move, you can follow @kathysbaldmove on Instagram or Facebook.