Sisters’ tribute to dad

16 March 2021

Sisters Matilda and Harriet are raising funds for Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation in memory of their father, Nigel.

Matilda, 15, and Harriet, 12, have cut their hair to raise money for the Foundation and will donate the hair to the Peter Mac Hair and Wig Library.

Nigel was a Professor of Clinical Exercise at Victoria University. It was his passion for research and the work Peter Mac does which inspired the sisters to fundraise. Matilda explains; 

As it was coming up to a year without him we decided we wanted to do something positive to remember Dad

Nigel was diagnosed with a rare type of sarcoma at the start of 2019. After 11 months of treatment including radiation therapy, two surgeries and chemotherapy Nigel passed away.

Associate Professor David Gyorki is a consultant surgeon who specialises in sarcoma surgery at Peter Mac. He is currently part of a world-wide research project studying patients with various subtypes of sarcomas.

Sarcomas can be difficult to diagnose and early detection is critical to offering patients the best chance of a cure. By better understanding how each of the different types of sarcoma behaves, we will be able to achieve better outcomes for these patients.

- Professor Gyorki

Matilda and Harriet are excited that their hair will go towards helping people who need that support and they’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity towards their fundraising efforts.

We are so amazed and mind blown by the support we have received from our family, friends and people we don't even know. We are so grateful for everyone’s generous donations and it has been really nice reading people's lovely messages of support.

Read more about Matilda and Harriet's fundraising journey here.