Nine-year old Toowoomba school girl Sofia Balderson said goodbye to her beautiful long locks, bravely cutting her hair all in the name of raising funds for the BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba service on Friday 12 October. In addition to donating 48 centimetres of her cut hair to help make wigs for sick children who have lost their hair after undergoing treatment, Sofia also successfully raised more than $2000.

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Alison Kennedy praised Sofia for taking the leap to cut her hair and opening her heart to helping others who need it. “We are just so incredibly proud of Sofia, making the decision to cut your hair is really tough but then going above and beyond to help not only local women but also sick kids is phenomenal,” she said. “Our hearts are so full of gratitude at Sofia and her mum Felicia’s generosity, we need more beautiful and selfless people like Sofia in our world.”

With the support of mother Felicia Platz, Sofia hopes to do more to help women across the region. Felicia said she was extremely proud of her daughter for making a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. “I was so proud of Sofia on Friday night and to see how excited she was to make a difference in her community was a real proud mum moment,” she said. “I would also like to thank the team at Toowoomba Hospital Foundation for their incredible support of Sofia and making her feel comfortable the whole time.”

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