World's Greatest Shave for a Cure (aka World's Greatest Opportunity to Test Your Ego)

This time next week I will have a bald head, as will my husband.

On Saturday 17th March we are both taking up the challenge to "be brave and shave" to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation, which supports families and individuals living through their fights against leukaemia and a range of related illnesses.

Why do this? We could easily donate money, colour or cut in lieu of shaving, or sponsor someone else to be brave and shave....

A couple of people I held in high regard did the shave in 2011 and I was inspired. It inspired me to stop and ponder could I do the same? After all, it's only hair, it grows back....

So about this time a year ago, I decided to do what I always do when I have a great idea and want to be held accountable to make it a reality. I Facebooked it. I told as many people as I could as quickly as I could that I was going to do the world's greatest shave in 2012.

For extra effect I decided a year ago to grow my hair, so it would be as long as possible when it came time to do the shave.

And then I convinced my husband to do it with me.

And here we are, 1 week out.

What does it mean to shave off long locks?

Firstly, there's the practicality of keeping warm on cool days and preventing sunburn on warm ones. So adding the wardrobe a range of beanies, scarves and hats is an absolute necessity.

Secondly, there's the ego. The thoughts that sneak into the corners of your mind when you least expect them to, the voices that whisper "you might look ugly"... "people will stare at you".... "you're only doing this to get attention".... "are you sure you want to do this?"

And for me, this is about the power of choice. Men, women and children who lose their hair as part of medical treatment for their illnesses are robbed of their choice to keep, cut or grow it. Given your hairstyle can significantly change the way a person looks, not having a choice in this is significant.

I don't for a moment believe this is a "walk a day in their shoes" exercise. I could not begin to imagine what battling leukaemia is like. But in making a choice to sacrifice my hair - and my vanity - to raise money in support of organisations who walk alongside people living with leukaemia I expect to feel a little of that loss of empowerment, having surrendered by right to choose to my friends and family who have sponsored me.

And at the same time (or perhaps a few days later, having adjusted to my new profile), I anticipate feeling liberated. Freed from the time trap of hair washing, blow drying and straightening. Freed from bad hair days. Freed from my hair being part of my persona.

After all, it will grow back.

I believe in charitable giving. I believe in engaging with the charities I choose to support. I believe seeing the world from another perspective makes giving meaningful and more effective.

In gathering sponsorships and donations for the world's greatest shave, I hope I am drawing more people in to the world of those living with leukaemia, making them a part of seeing the world from their perspective. Not everyone needs to "be brave and shave" to increase their understanding of the value of the work the Leukaemia Foundation does.

And here is my greatest hope from undergoing the shave on Saturday;-

That at least one person (and hopefully more) find their own inspiration to actively support a charity that means something to them. Take part in microfinance loans to empower a community in the Pacific. Participate in the upcoming "Live below the line" challenge. Keep 10% of your household budget aside to support charitable giving. Read a book about making poverty history. Join a membership based organisation that works to achieve policy change in governments where human rights are being violated.

Find the cause that you would "be brave and shave" for, tell people you're going to do it, then Just Do It.

Belinda Smith is director of Events Hunter, a central online, independent platform facilitating creative collaboration in all aspects of the community. Go to www.eventshunter.com.au for more information.