It was hair today gone tomorrow for Fahan woman Tanya Burnett as she made an incredible act of solidarity with her sister who is undergoing cancer treatment.
Tanya braved the shave on Wednesday to raise funds for Cancer Care West – a cause that has been supporting her sister Lisa Gallagher since her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Tanya and Lisa are proudly twinning now with matching hairdos, as Lisa also shaved her head in August and raised an amazing €4,700 for Cancer Care West.
Tanya’s decision to shave her head was twofold. She was determined to show her sister that she was not alone as she began chemotherapy. Tanya also wanted to promote the vast benefits of the services at Cancer Care West centre in Letterkenny.
Tanya and Lisa before Tanya’s charity headshave at Haircraft
Mum of three Lisa has been enjoying holistic therapies such as reflexology, as well as a listening ear, from the Cancer Care West team in recent months. Health and mental health were always important to Lisa, who loves to keep fit. She famously made it to the final of Ireland’s Fittest Family in 2022 alongside her children Connor, Molly, and James.
Cancer Care West, Lisa says, is a “Godsend in our community”.
Tanya adds: “Being in Inishowen, I realised that a lot of people don’t know about the facility. It’s nice to bring the name to more people. If my head shave helps one person in the way that it has helped Lisa, it would be amazing.”
Tanya and Lisa are originally from Essex and moved to Donegal with family 18 years ago. Tanya, now living in Fahan, has two boys. Just last year, she underwent a remarkable weight loss journey and lost 14 stone after gastric sleeve surgery.
Tanya was in good hands for her shave yesterday. Hairdresser Julie McGuigan kindly did the honours at Haircraft, where Tanya was cheered on by her parents, partner Mark and Lisa.
Tanya braves the shave
Lisa Gallagher and sister Tanya Rasher after Tanya’s headshave at Haircraft Letterkenny
Julie McGuigan at Haircraft, Mark Breslin, Tanya Burnett, Lisa Gallagher, Vanessa Rasher and Ray Rasher.
“I’m really proud of my sister,” Lisa said. “It’s a really brave thing to do and I really appreciate all her support and everything she’s done for me. I’m so proud that she’s raising awareness for Cancer Care West because she knows that service has really supported me, and I love going there, it’s really got me through my treatment so far. What Tanya has done today is amazing, she’s an amazing sister.”
To donate to Tanya’s Head Shave, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/780689457165932/10159387750992023/
Find out more about Cancer Care West here: https://www.cancercarewest.ie/
Julie McGuigan at Haircraft and Tanya Rasher
