‘A big shock’ - South Shields barber looks to help cancer charity following her own diagnosis
A South Shields barber is raising vital funds for a cancer charity following her own incurable diagnosis.
A much-loved South Shields barber is set to host a charity haircut day after she was diagnosed with incurable blood cancer.
Inese Hunter, the owner of Baltic Barbers, on Dean Road, is looking to raise vital funds for Cancer Connections after the charity has helped her following her diagnosis around six months ago.
Doctors told the 46-year-old that she has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL), which is a slow-growing blood cancer that can initially be managed with medication.
‘Really unexpected’
Despite her diagnosis coming as a shock after a routine blood test, Inese has explained that she is keeping a positive outlook on life.
She said: “It was a big shock because it was found by a routine blood test so it was really unexpected - it was a massive knock.
“I’m keeping alright and you have to keep positive by looking forward.
“It has been challenging but I’m still here, I’m still happy and there is plenty of nice people around who are supporting me.
“I’ve been told that my type of cancer is the ‘best cancer to have’ because it can be managed but in my eyes, there is no good cancer.”
Therapy with Cancer Connections
Cancer Connections, which is a South Tyneside-based charity, has been helping Inese with Reiki therapy following her diagnosis and it has resulted in her wanting to give back to the charity.
She added: “I was offered to do Reiki therapy through Cancer Connections so I signed up for it and I’ve realised that it really chills you out.
“It is completely different to anything that I’ve ever done before but I was thinking that I’d only have one session.
“They keep inviting me back and I did feel a bit uncomfortable at first because I’m not used to getting things for free but they’ve reassured me that it is fine.
“Everyone at Cancer Connections is amazing and they are helping so many local people who have cancer so I decided that I wanted to give something back to them.
“I’m very happy to do something for them.”
‘They deserve every single penny’
The Baltic Barbers Charity Haircut Day will take place on Sunday, September 6, from 9am until the final haircut.
Inese has stated that she will be working for free and is offering standard haircuts, plus additional services including beard trims and waxing for an extra charge.
The entire day is cash only and 100% of the money raised will go to Cancer Connections; however, Inese also has launched an online fundraiser should anyone wish to donate further.
She commented: “September is a big time for charities in South Tyneside with the Great North Run happening so I decided that it would be the best time to do this.
“We’re going to do standard haircuts on a walk-in basis and all the money in the pot will go to Cancer Connections.
“There will also be raffles on the day so people can win prizes and there will be refreshments on the house.
“I haven’t put a target on the online fundraiser because I just want to raise as much money as possible - at the end of the day, Cancer Connections deserve every single penny.”
You can view and donate to Inese’s fundraiser by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/page/inese-cirule-1.