Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan and striker Pat Wood are teaming up to show their support for the 135,000 Australians currently living with blood cancer by taking part in the 25th anniversary of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
For Brattan, World’s Greatest Shave is a campaign close to his heart after his sister Holli-Mia was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukaemia in 2019, where more than one type of leukaemia occurs at the same time.
“Holli-Mia is doing well and is now cancer-free, but it was a long journey which involved months in hospital receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. She is a true champion,” said Brattan.
Having experienced the impact of blood cancer first hand through Holli-Mia’s journey, Brattan’s mission is to now support the Leukaemia Foundation’s goal of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035 by taking part in World’s Greatest Shave for the third time marking his very own hat-trick.
“This year instead of shaving, I’ll be ‘going blue for blood cancer’ and raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation so they can continue to provide expert support, accommodation, and a range of services to blood cancer patients and their families.
“The money raised will also help to fund cutting-edge research into blood cancer treatments and hopefully one day to find a cure.”
Brattan will be bringing teammate Pat Wood along for the ride this year and will have the pleasure of shaving off Pat’s hair on the 15th of March with the aim of the duo raising $10,000 collectively for the Leukaemia Foundation.
“I’m looking forward to joining Luke this year and clipping off my hair for World’s Greatest Shave.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and hearing about Holli-Mia’s experience with blood cancer really prompted me to sign up to help the thousands of Aussies diagnosed every year,” said Wood.
Since making his Sydney FC debut in the AFC Champions League 2020 in Qatar, Wood has gone from strength to strength with the striker representing the Australian U23’s at the 2022 AFC Asian Cup, having scored the goal which won them qualification.
He is now looking to cement his spot as the club’s number one striker this season as well as a place in the Olympic squad for next year’s Paris Games.
In the past 25 years, over 2 million Aussies like Luke Brattan and Pat Wood have taken part in World’s Greatest Shave by shaving, cutting, or colouring their hair and raising vital funds to support the thousands of Australians facing a blood cancer diagnosis every year.
World’s Greatest Shave Week takes place 15-19 March 2023. To make a donation to support Luke and Pat’s World’s Greatest Shave campaign, please visit worldsgreatestshave.com and search Sydney FC.
