I went cycling yesterday, just 2 days after surgery, and upon reflection this week-end considered just how much technology has advanced. Not only in the last decade with micro-surgical techniques & non-invasive procedures; but over the last 3 decades; the last 10.

In 1909 both of the conditions I’ve suffered from: Ulcerative Colitis (which is what finally killed William Wilberforce of slavery abolition fame), and Renal Colic; would have been life threatening, if not debilitating. A kidney stone of the size that I had would just block the ureter, back up the waste and cause the kidney to fail. Even 20 years ago, I would’ve required an incision.

Yet, here I am, 3 operations within 3 months, up and about within 48 hours.

But what about those diseases that still have no cure? Those diseases where organ transplants offer some respite to some portion of the population, but in themselves are not a cure. What about Leukaemia?

Even here we’ve seen great strides in treatment, early diagnosis, and far better prognosis for patients. But there’s more to be done. Much more. If we could just raise the funds and get it to the research organisations.

It’s a cause which is close to my heart. Partly because I’ve experienced the impact of phenomenal change in medical technology myself. I certainly wouldn’t be biking, waterskiing, scuba diving, travelling, even living in Australia, without the intervention of technologies and smart doctors over the last decade. But also because people close to my family didn’t get that opportunity. My biological father, Tom, died of cancer just 3 months before his only son got married. His wife, Jenny, died some 4 years later, of cancer. Lucy’s sister Penny, died of Leukaemia at the age of 6, when Lu was 2.

Even now, a cousin and good friend, Ian, and my father-in-law, David, live with cancer.

I do understand in the current environment, with the bushfires in Victoria, the floods in Queensland, and other causes, (many of which I donate to myself): CanToo, Starlight, World Vision, BeyondBlue, OxFam, Salvo’s, Movember, etc. that people have given so much. Often beyond their means.

So I’d like to propose a fun week. Just one week. No lengthy training, or recruitment drive. No repeats. Just a week where I invite you, my friends and family, colleagues, and complete strangers (aka Internet Friends) to do one of two things:

1. Sign up to the VST (Virtual Shave Team) – and commit to shaving or colouring your head, and raising as much money as you can in a week.
2. Sponsor the VST – give what you can of course. I’d love it if everyone sponsored just $10.

I commit to tweeting, commenting on Facebook, my blog, and creating a daily video to let everyone know how we’re doing.

If you do join the team, please take photos and videos of your progress. We’ll co-ordinate the shave next week-end.

C’mon join us – let’s see if we can create the world’s biggest virtual bald community – Be Brave and Shave!