Student raises phenomenal £7,000 to fund her mum’s cancer treatment

A York student’s pledge to shave her head has raised nearly £7,000 to help fund her mum’s treatment for ovarian cancer.

On May 18, Masha Rodionova will be publicly braving the shave, a decision which was made after Masha’s mum, Elena, was diagnosed with a developed stage of ovarian cancer in January 2016.

The wonderful woman Elena

After undergoing several sessions of chemotherapy it was discovered, through a near fatal reaction, that Elena is allergic to the medication.

However, Elena does not fit the criteria to receive the safest type of medication for her as is it not available on the NHS.

The only option left for Masha and her family is to pay for Elena’s medication simply so that the medication itself does not cause her more health problems. The problem is the treatment costs a grand, gob-smacking total of £7800.

Masha as a child with mum, Elena

Masha opened a crowdfunding page in early May in order to appeal to friends and family for help and support. However she was not asking for money without giving them something in return so she’s shaving her head in order to raise funds and raise awareness.

Within two days of opening her JustGiving page she raised over £4000 and she has now raised an amazing £6924! (Clearly everyone wants to see her bald.)

In the build-up, Masha has undergone a series of extravagant hair changes with blonde, silver, brown, green and even greener given a try.

Brown

Blonde

Silver

Green

Come along to St Lawrence Court in Halifax College on May 18th at 1pm to witness the final stage: the birth of the egg-head!

To donate, follow this link to her JustGiving page.