Letterkenny mum Lisa Gallagher is taking on her biggest challenge yet – a charity head shave.

The fundraiser, which takes place this Wednesday, is Lisa’s way of facing cancer head-on.

Lisa, 51, was diagnosed in March and remains determined to focus on all the positives of her journey. That involves giving back to a charity that has supported her in many ways – Cancer Care West. 

The Donegal Cancer Support Centre, located in Letterkenny, has provided Lisa with reflexology, counselling and advice as she undergoes treatment.

Lisa is already known as a local superwoman, having made it to the final of Ireland’s Fittest Family in 2022, alongside her children Connor, Molly, and James.

The Gallagher clan on Ireland’s Fittest Family 2022

An avid runner and fitness fanatic, her cancer diagnosis came as a real shock. It was first detected as breast cancer but unfortunately it spread to her lymph nodes.

As Lisa’s chemo journey begins, she decided to face her hair loss ahead of time.

“I feel like part of it is I’m taking control, at least it’s my choice,” she tells Donegal Daily.

When Lisa announced her fundraiser on Saturday, she couldn’t believe the support she got from friends and family online. She is also getting great support from her colleagues at Letterkenny CDP, where she works as the pre-school leader.

“It keeps me going to have that support because it shifts the focus and makes me feel I am doing something,” she said.

Lisa Gallagher with her Fittest Family coach Anna Geary

All money raised will be donated to Cancer Care West, which Lisa describes as a “Godsend in our community.”

“It’s not until you’re in that situation you realise how precious these services are,” she said.

“It’s such a relaxing environment in the centre. All you hear now is self-care, and people are always on the go, but I realise that self-care is what is going to get me through the journey.”

While Lisa is nervous about the head shave, she is comforted by the fact she’ll be in good hands at Haircraft Letterkenny.

“I’m nervous – never had a head shave before, I’m just delighted to be raising money for such a great cause. It’s only hair, it will come back at some stage!”

To donate to Lisa’s fundraiser, please visit this Facebook campaign: https://www.facebook.com/donate/252017177651602/252017184318268/

Find out more about Cancer Care West at: www.cancercarewest.ie