The Life You Can Save After The Shave

I now have a shaved head. On 17th March, my husband and I let the clippers do their work and removed our hair in support of the Leukaemia Foundation.

I did this because the Leukaemia Foundation does amazing work and because I knew it would be an interesting journey.

I don't for a second believe it is the same as walking in the shoes of a person who has lost their hair due to illness, however it does provide a small insight into the way people perceive a person with a bald head.

I've had people point at me in the street. But I've also had other, newly shaven people, acknowledge me across a crowd in a shopping mall.
I've had people question why on earth I think to do such a thing is common sense. But I've also had the support of many friends and strangers.
I've learned to be mindful of the effects of the sun and the cold on my vulnerable scalp. But I've also enjoyed taking considerably less time to get ready in the morning.
I've had moments where I quite like the new look. But I've also had moments when I wondered "what on earth have I done?!"

But ultimately, life goes on. The sun went down on the 17th and came up again on the 18th. And each day my hair grows back, albeit not yet noticeably!

I have a strong philanthropic bent. I like to get involved as closely to the coal face as I can, committing a portion of my income to charity each month. So now I've done the shave, what's next? How to decide where my limited time, energy and money should next be devoted to make a difference?

How do you decide where to spend your charity dollars, if at all? How do you decide how much is enough?

There are as many guides and formulas for philanthropic giving as you care to google. Some say 10%  (also known as the age-old concept of tithing). Some say a dollar a day (or an amount you can easily live without). Others are saying that, once you establish a standard of living that is acceptable to you should give away everything else.

 In his challenging book "The Life You Can Save" Professor of Bio Ethics at Princeton University Peter Singer shares the stories of what some are doing right now to act upon ending world poverty. Because, when  we end world poverty, we have a strong foundation upon which to act to eradicate diseases such as HIV and Malaria, work towards ending gender inequality and to create a more peaceful and sustainable planet.

Check out Fair Share International, based in Adelaide, building a community following a "5.10.5.10" formula for charitable giving:

5%:  annual gross income given to help the disadvantaged
10%: amount to reduce your environmentally harmful consumption by each year, until you can do no more
5%: amount of your time given to helping people in your community
10: number of democratic political actions taken each year (for example, contacting your political representatives about what you'd like to see changed in your community)

Not a bad rule of thumb to follow...?

What about the 50% league? This group currently consists of about 100 members, all of whom give away at least half of their wealth or income every year. Wow! Google those guys to learn more, you'll be blown away!!

Whether you believe charity starts in the home or that the faceless "unpeople" are those most deserving of your heart, mind and wallet, it goes without saying that we here in the lucky country are absolutely 100% capable of giving more to those in need. With an abundance of charities and people in need, we are literally spoiled for choice.

When I think about the amount Adam and I raised through our shaves, I think about the difference it will make. To an individual undergoing chemotherapy. To the family and friends of a man, woman or child fighting this terrible illness. To the 30-odd people who directly sponsored us and the countless others who directly and indirectly supported us, who are now aware of the Leukaemia Foundation in a more intimate and personal way.

And, humbly, I am content that I have made a difference in the world. Somehow, in some small way I have saved a life. It might make only the tiniest, smallest difference, and maybe only for a few seconds. But it is indeed better than making no difference at all.

So, I ask you to please take a moment out of your busy day today and consider:

Am I doing enough?

Am I doing what is right?

What else should I, could I, would I do.... to save a life.

And I'll leave you with two things.

Firstly, a clue... it all starts with you opening your heart and mind before you open your wallet.
Secondly, the clip below may help you open your heart and mind and connect with "someone over there", a person so much like you, yet so far away from the life you lead and enjoy.

Pre Shave

Post Shave