WITH his mum being treated for leukaemia, Sana McFarlane-Smith is participating in the World's Greatest shave.

Sana's mother, Neda Master, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, in April 2019.

Since then she has undergone months of chemotherapy treatment and a stem cell transplant.

Neda said when she first got her diagnoses she was relieved.

It had been a long process with lots of tests and scans, and she was grateful to finally know what was wrong.

"I was so sick of people telling me it was in my head. I didn't cry, I was relieved," Neda said.

"The 16 weeks of chemo was easy, but I got scared when they did they stem cell collection- that was a bit rough.

"You will feel fear, the stem cell process is not nice and the nurses are honest with you.

"I had wonderful doctors, and I wouldn't be here without them.

"When I went through the stem cell transplant it was very challenging for me - the pain, the nausea.

"I kept thinking 'am I going to get through this?'"

Neda is due to go through her second stem cell transplant this month, which will hopefully put her into remission.

Sana said he hoped to raise $15,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

"The reason I chose to fundraise for the World's Greatest Shave is because I'm currently doing a challenge which is the Duke of Edinburgh award," Sana said.

"One of the components is a form of service or volunteer work where you give back to the community.

"Since my mum was diagnosed with cancer and the Leukaemia Foundation has given so much to me, my mum and our family, I thought it would only be fair that I return the favour and give something to them."

The 16 year old said he wanted to be an oncologist or haematologist when he finished school.

To help support Sana's fundraising efforts, visit https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?RegistrationID=774634

Excerpt from:
Son to shave head to support mum with leukaemia - Chronicle