A mum-of-two who lost her sister to leukaemia is to donate her waist-length hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients.
Paula Butler, 43, of Crosland Moor, decided to have her 24-inch locks turned into hair pieces in memory of sister Diane Welborn.
Diane, 56, of Deighton, died in April just seven weeks after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
Brave Diane underwent chemotherapy and lost her hair. Instead of paying for a wig, she wore a bandana.
After her death Paula decided to donate her hair to Leukaemia Research and raise money for Kirkwood Hospice at the same time.
Paula said: “Leukaemia is such an evil disease and it claimed Diane so quickly.
“When she lost all her hair she looked into having a wig made but they are very expensive so she chose not to have one.
“When she died I spoke to the people at Leukaemia Research and they said my hair was so long and thick it would make three lovely wigs.
“All Leukaemia Research wanted was my hair so I decided to raise some money for Kirkwood Hospice, a charity close to my heart.”
Paula’s mum, Iris Rushworth, died of a brain tumour three years ago and Diane’s husband died of the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma seven years ago. Both were cared for at Kirkwood.
Paula added: “Diane wasn’t treated at Kirkwood but the hospice has always been there for us.
“Diane didn’t have any symptoms but one day complained of some pains in her legs. She had been out walking in Bradford and we thought she’d maybe overdone it.
“I said if she was worried she should go to the doctor’s and leukaemia was diagnosed.
“She held onto the fact that they said it was treatable but we lost her after just seven weeks. She was treated at St James’ Hospital in Leeds and was only home for a few days in those seven weeks. It’s a terrible disease.”
Paula will have her hair cut at the XTG salon in Huddersfield, run by a relative Sam Bullas.
“I’m not having my head shaved, it’ll just be close cropped,” said Paula. “I haven’t had my hair trimmed since April.”
A collection at Diane’s funeral raised £500 for the hospice and Paula hopes to raise another £500 with her hair cut.
“Kirkwood is the only charity I support and I want to make it £1,000 in the year. It’s a fantastic place and as much as you give can’t be enough.”
To donate go to www.justgiving.com/Paula-Butler-Was-Rushworth1/
