I’ve taken control of my cancer diagnosis and donated my hair to those who need it
A South Shields grandmother has “taken control” of her cancer diagnosis by braving the shave.
Glynis Handyside was diagnosed with breast and lymph node cancer in August 2025, which resulted in her undergoing surgery in December.
However the surgery was unsuccessful in terms of removing the cancer, meaning that Glynis has since had to start chemotherapy.
The 61-year-old has told the Shields Gazette how she felt when she found out about the diagnosis last year.
She said: “I kind of had an idea that I had cancer after my mammogram when they were doing the biopsies.
“I’ve had problems in the past that wasn’t cancer but I could tell this time was different but when I got the confirmation, I was actually alright about it.
“I think I’ve cried once since my diagnosis and that’s because I saw a little girl undergoing treatment at the cancer centre, there isn’t much point in getting upset for myself.
“My daughter Shannon and I’s favourite saying at the moment is ‘it is what it is’ and there is not much we can do about it apart from carrying on and fighting the cancer.
“Shannon has been incredible the whole way through this and even though she has got her own issues going on, she is constantly checking in what sure that I’m doing okay.
“I’ve got cancer but cancer hasn’t got me and it won’t be getting me anytime soon either.”
In an effort to make something positive out of the situation, Glynis wanted to “take control” so she took part in a ‘Brave the Shave’ event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust.
Due to Glynis receiving a chemotherapy appointment sooner than expected, there was a rush to get the event organised and she revealed that the fundraising efforts have grown bigger than she could ever imagine.
She added: “Macmillan have been a really big help since my diagnosis with things like support and counselling so I wanted to give back to them as a thank you.
“It was all quite rushed as you can’t donate your hair once you’ve started chemo so Shannon basically arranged everything in the space of a week.
“As soon as I got my head shaved, I just felt like superhuman, I felt empowered and that I’d taken control of the situation.
“My hair is going to fall out but I wasn’t going to sit here and just let it happen.
“If it went down that route, I would be upset everyday because I’d be losing a bit of myself but doing this way means that I’ve taken control.
“I thought there would be five or six people turn up at the Brave the Shave event but it was just full of people, you couldn’t really get moved.
“The Wolf Angels, which is run by Wolf Competitions, turned up on the day with flowers for me and they also donated some money to charity.
“It has just escalated from there with people sending over donations for raffles - the support from everyone in South Shields has been amazing.”
On the back of donating her hair, Glynis and Shannon are now hosting a ‘Crazy Hair Funday’ on Sunday, March 29, from 1pm until 5pm, at The Beehive, on Mile End Road, in South Shields.
People attending are encouraged to wear wigs, sport wild hairstyles with bright colours or wear silly hats as they look to raise even more funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Little Princess Trust.
If you want to find out more about the ‘Crazy Hair Funday’ or help out with raffle donations, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/25949861254623761.
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