A TRAGIC cancer diagnosis inspired Bathurst resident Clare Strik to say goodbye to her hair in an act of solidarity.  Ms Strik’s long-term partner Luke Harrison, with whom she has a young son, was diagnosed in late February with a rare form of leukaemia.  “He started getting sick at the start of January and then he was diagnosed in late February with Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia,” she said. Mr Harrison started his chemotherapy treatment in March and shaved his head a short time ago after his hair began to fall out.  Ms Strik wanted to support her partner during his battle with cancer and said shaving off her own hair was “the best way” she could think to do that.  Last Saturday she went to Price Attack in Bathurst Stockland, where her friend Sophia Perry did the honours.  Ms Strik was nervous, but was lucky to have the encouragement of family and friends.  “I’ve got a good support network,” she said. Mr Harrison was excited and proud to see his partner shave her hair off for charity, while their son Elijah didn’t seem to mind his mum’s dramatic new look. “He slept through the shave and when he woke up he didn’t really react – he pulled off my headband and was more interested in that,” Ms Strik said.  Members of the public were invited to attend the shave, which resulted in an additional $750 being raised for the Leukaemia Foundation. This, combined with Ms Strik’s other fundraising efforts, has led to her being able to give $1500 to the charity.  “It was a good turnout; there was a lot of people there on the day,” Ms Strik said.  “I was hoping to get $2000, but it is still open so people can still donate.”  To donate, visit the World’s Greatest Shave website, select sponsor and find Ms Strik’s profile by searching her name.