VIDEO: The emotional moment Emsworth woman, 25, shaves her head after alopecia diagnosis

Bex Rogers, who lives in North Street, Emsworth, was devastated when she was diagnosed with alopecia in August.

The condition was brought on after the 25-year-old suffered a miscarriage.

But Bex decided others would benefit from her diagnosis so decided to shave her head and donate the hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children suffering from cancer.

“I find it hard living with alopecia so I’d like to give children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment the opportunity to have hair,” said Bex, who found out she had alopecia when her cousin Paige Markham, 22, was styling her hair for a wedding.

She has also raised thousands for Macmillan Cancer Care through its Brave the Shave campaign.

Bex, a former pupil at the Bourne Community College in Southbourne, was supported by friends, family and members of the community as staff at Tanique Hair and Beauty Salon in Westbourne turned on the clippers.

She was also joined by her partner and 15-month-old daughter, Emmie.

“It was a really emotional day when we first noticed Bex was losing her hair,” added Paige.

“She started crying, then so did I. 
“It was really upsetting.”

Bex added: “Living with the condition wasn’t easy at first.

“For a woman, losing your hair is like losing a bit of your personality.

“Hair defines a person.

“I’ve always been proud of my long, thick hair and losing it was very hard to deal with.

“As the weeks have gone by I have started to come to terms with having alopecia and thought about the Brave the Shave campaign.

“Shaving my head was a way for me to be in control of when I lose my hair, not when alopecia decides I will.

“Donating my hair to the Little Princess Trust was an easy decision.

“Being an adult and having hair loss is hard but I couldn’t imagine being a child going through cancer treatment or having alopecia.

“Giving my hair to a child who needs it is the best gift I can give.”

Proud mum Kerry Griffiths watched on as her daughter had her head shaved.

She said: “Bex is braver than I am.

“She was absolutely determined do it, and it’s all for a great cause.

“I think it looks great.”

Bex was also supported by her friend and former colleague Jo Bartlett, 43, from Barnham, who also shaved off her hair to raise money for Macmillan.

“I was a bit nervous, but did it to support Bex,” she said.

“It’s all for a great cause, and I’ve raised over £100.

“I’m a bit cold now though!”

Tanique also held a tombola, raffle, cake sale and tea and coffee stall with all proceeds from the day going to charity.

To donate to Bex’s Brave the Shave fundraising drive click here

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