LAST year Fiona McGonigal took on the challenge to raise $1000 for The World’s Greatest Shave and to help blood cancer research. In 2020, she did the same thing again in front of a parochial Currajong crowd.

“I am rapt to be able to help do my bit for cancer,” said Fiona.

“So far I have raised about $300 towards this important cause.

“I hope to reach $1000 again like last year,” Fiona said.

This time last year Fiona McGonigal was battling kidney cancer, and sadly, despite beating it last year, she has received the unfortunate news that the disease has returned on the left side of her adrenal gland.

The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol.

“They are found above the kidneys,” said Fiona.

“I am hoping everything is okay when I see the specialist and I can concentrate on getting well and raising vital funds for cancer research.

“After such a great response last year, especially from everyone at Currajong, I felt compelled to give it another go,” she said.

While Fiona has her up and down days, nothing she says, will stop her trying to beat last years fundraising effort of $1000 which was her initial target.

“The funds are vital make no secret of it but so too is awareness of cancer and different cancer types,” Fiona said.

“Every day another 35 Australians are diagnosed with a blood cancer. That’s one Aussie every 41 minutes.

“Although research is improving survival, sadly an Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.”