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Azaleah's Hair Donation and Fundraiser

By Emma Lim Join Me

This year, our family has felt just how deeply cancer can impact a community. From the loss of loved ones to ongoing battles and inspiring recoveries, cancer has touched many people around us — in ways that are both personal and profound.

This year, our family has felt the deep impact of cancer with the loss of a much-loved family member Dr Eng Libbis from a rare cancer.

It’s this experience that has inspired Azaleah to take action, showing her compassion and commitment to helping others facing the same difficult journey.

Azaleah has been inspired to make a difference. 

She will be cutting and donating her beautiful hair to Kids with Cancer, a charity that creates wigs for children undergoing treatment: https://kidswithcancer.org.au/donate-hair/

In addition, Azaleah is raising funds for Rare Cancers Australia, an organisation close to our hearts.

Rare Cancers Australia is dedicated to changing the story for people diagnosed with rare, less common, or complex cancers, through limitless support and powerful advocacy. Your donation will help provide personalised care and guidance during what can often be an uncertain and isolating time.

Azaleah will cutting her hair on the 8th of September — please support her by donating and leaving a message of encouragement. Every kind word and contribution mean’s the world.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

 

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$3,088

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$500

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My Updates

Before and After

Tuesday 9th Sep

Hair is gone

Tuesday 9th Sep

Today was the day.

Tuesday 9th Sep
Unfortunately Azaleah woke up feeling unwell. We asked her if she wanted to push ahead or if she wanted us to make some phone calls to postpone.

Even though she was clearly unwell she wanted to push ahead. There were quite a few tears as she was frustrated that she was feeling unwell for the special day. After an early morning shower and a lot more rest she got dressed last minute, she put on a brave face and we headed to school.

In the morning we were able to grab a quick group photo with her class. There was a quick discussion and Azaleah decided to chop it a little shorter than she originally planned so the wig makers had more to work with before we heading into the hall.

Her hair was prepared according to guidelines from Wigs for Kids while the standard parade procedures were undertaken. 

It was then time for the big moment. Azaleah sat in front of her entire school while our good friend and hairdresser Eri Fukuya McKay  chopped each of the prepped 6 sections of hair off.

She emerged from it with a huge smile and a round of applause from her peers.

After another quick updated photo with her class, Eri finished styling her cute new cut before we took a few more photos and we took her home to rest.

We are extremely proud of her and what she has done in memory of her (Aunty) Om Eng Engy Libbo

She absolutely loves her new style and you couldn't wipe the smile off her face all day despite being unwell. 

We would like to thank each and everyone of you that donated and / or shared her page. The kind words and the amazing support that has been given to Azaleah throughout this whole process. It really means the world to us. 

Even though the big chop is now complete her fundraiser for Rare Cancers Australia will continue for a bit longer.

Tomorrow her school will be hosting a crazy hair day for a Gold coin donation and there are still cash donations to be added to her total.

Which means if you would still like to donate the link should still be open. 
https://give.rarecancers.org.au/s/522/811

Photo Recreation

Monday 8th Sep
Had to recreate this photo one more time before the hair got chopped this morning.

Last Time

Monday 8th Sep
Last time plating her super long hair. Tomorrow is the big day.

1 Sleep to Go:

Monday 8th Sep
Azaleah is excited but nervous for tomorrow but definitely hasn't changed her mind about the chop.

We are so proud of her for doing this in memory of her (Aunty) Om Engy Libbo we know she will be watching over her tomorrow and that the money raised is going to such an amazing cause. We also know that Wigs for Kids will make great use of her hair 

When picking the date for the hair chop we didn't make the connection that tomorrow is made more significant as it will be her late great grandmothers birthday.

We would like to thank everyone again for their support and donations.

We will post updated photos as soon as we can.

If you haven't already and would still like to donate, there is still time.

We will also be adding on cash donations that we have recieved so far in the next couple of days.

Azi's school is also hosting a crazy hair day this Tuesday for a good coin donation in support. 

Eng's birthday

Monday 8th Sep
10 days to go until the big chop:

Happy heavenly birthday Om Eng. Thinking of all our family including her husband, the boys and her friends as we spend the first birthday without her. 

We found a video of Azaleah teaching her Aunties to floss back in 2020. We had forgotten that we got it on video until recently, brought a little smile to our faces. 

https://give.rarecancers.org.au/s/522/811

An older photo of Om Eng and Azaleah

Monday 25th Aug

2 Weeks to Go

Monday 25th Aug
Can't believe how close we are getting to the big chop now. Azaleah has been keeping a countdown on the fridge as we draw nearer to the big day.

This week we have been very touched by donations coming through from Eng's friends and colleagues and would like to thank you all for supporting Azaleah in her journey. 

Eng, although technically a cousin to Azaleah's dad, was raised more like a sister to him as the two families grew up closely together.

Eng was a beautiful and well accomplished person who was a serving police officer early on but later became a emergency doctor at the Gold Coast University Hospital and clearly an amazing friend to many.

To us she was family a cousin, cousin in law and Om (Om is the traditional term for an Aunty that is older than your parents in Khmer) who clearly loved her family. She always had a massive smile watching her sons, her nephews and her niece playing together whenever we all got together.

Unfortunately earlier this year she lost her life to a rare cancer which lead Azaleah to her decision to raise money for Rare Cancers Australia in her memory.

We appreciate all donations, support and shares recieved already and are excited to see  what comes in the next 2 weeks. 

Any amount Azaleah recieves over $2 is tax deductible and will go to help families that are going through one of the toughest times I their lives.

Photo is one of the many we looked through this week of Azaleah with Om Eng many years a go. 

https://give.rarecancers.org.au/s/522/811

Azaleah's Hair

Monday 18th Aug
Book Week Parade today. One of probably the only times where Azaleah's Hair has been completely out at school. We quickly put it up after the parade though, otherwise it would have gotten extremely knotty.

3 Weeks to go:

Monday 18th Aug
All the donations and kind words Azaleah has recieved so far are truly appreciated.

Whenever a donation is received a huge smile comes to her face and we don't even have to say a thing before she is busily responding to each person.

Right from the start we told her that we would help get it set up but this would be her fundraiser.

In saying that Leng (Harry) and I absolutely appreciate all of you for supporting her on this journey. Can't believe there is only 3 Weeks left to go.

Support from Azi's School

Monday 18th Aug
This poster was released by her school on their Facebook page with our permission

Support From Azi's School

Thursday 14th Aug
We are so lucky not only to have the support of all our family, friends, Leng's workplace and the team at Rare Cancers Australia in Azaleah's goal but also the support of her school including the schools SRC.

Tonight they shared the following poster on their Facebook page and have posters designed by the team at Rare Cancers Australia ready to go to do a crazy hair day the day after her chop.

If you are still wanting to donate you can either click on the following link or use the QR code on the poster. 

https://give.rarecancers.org.au/fundraisers/emmalim

4 Weeks to go

Thursday 14th Aug
Can't believe we have only 4 weeks to go. We have been blown away by all the support she has recieved so far. 

A few facts leading up to the big chop:

*Azaleah has been thinking of chopping her hair and donating it as soon as it got long like rapunzel before she even started school. Although her original thought was donating it to her uncle.

*Azaleah's hair style has always been up to her. In the past she has always wanted it long so we made a deal. She could have it long as long as she let mum and dad help her maintain it. 

*Almost every school day since she began Prep we have choosen a hair style of pinterest and given it a go. Due to the length it often takes 20 - 30 minutes (sometimes more) each morning to do her hair.

*We also plat her hair each night to help deal with tangles. 

*Washing it takes time. After doing shampoo. We condition it and run a wet brush through it.

*A lot of people assume she has never had it cut. Although it has never been chopped she has had plenty of trims by Tracy Doust, Eri Fukuya McKay  and and even a couple by her Aunty Chou Chou (Ratana Lim). Often each trim being 2 inches at a time to deal with dead and split ends.

*Azaleah decided that she would like to donate her hair and raise money for Rare Cancers Australia in memory of Om (Aunty) Engy Libbo was sadly passed in February this year. Danika from Rare Cancers Australia has been amazing at helping us set up her fundraising page. 

*She has decided to cut her hair in front of her peers at her school assembly on the 8th September 2025. We are lucky she has been given wonderful support by her school in her journey.

*Our wonderful friend Eri Fukuya McKay will be helping us out on the day to cut her hair.

*The hair itself will be sent to Wigs 4 kids. to donate you need to have at least 20cm of usable hair. Azaleah definitely has over double that which will be donated. 

*Azaleah is extremely appreciative of each and every donation no mater the size. She even personally responded to each donation to say thanks. 

*Donations over $2 to her fundraiser are tax deductible.

Thank You

Thursday 7th Aug
We're 11 days into Azaleah's (Azi's) Hair Donation and Fundraiser and we just wanted to take the time to say thank you. Thank you for all the donations, the kind words of support, the shares and likes. All of it. 

A photo of Om (Aunty) Eng surround by her boys, Azi and her Nephew popped up on our google hub today it was a reminder of why Azi wanted to fundraise in her memory, to help other families who are tackling one of the toughest times in their lives.

To all the people that have donated or would like to donate just a reminder that all donations over $2 are tax deductible thanks to the way Rare Cancers Australia helped us to set it up.

We have also worked out how to do cash donations so if you would like to donate that way any of the family can help you to add it to the page. 

We acknowledge times are tough but any amount that you can afford is appreciated. Even if you can share her fundraiser that would be amazing.

Thanks in Advance,

Azi and the rest of the Lim family. 

https://give.rarecancers.org.au/fundraisers/emmalim/azaleah--s-hair-donation-and-fundraiser#

The Original Idea

Monday 4th Aug
Sorry Uncle Boop the hair is off to a better cause.

1 Week Down, 5 Weeks to Go

Monday 4th Aug

We're one week down with 5 weeks to go until Azaleah's (Azi's) Hair Donation.

For those that don't know Azi she has wanted to have hair like rapunzel from a very young age, so other than trims (about 2" at a time) she has been growing her hair her whole life.

As she got older she said once it was longer than rapunzels she wanted to donate it to her Uncle Boof, but decided in more recent years that she wants to donate it to Wigs for Cancer.

In the process she would love to raise as much money as she can for Rare Cancers Australia in memory of her Aunty Dr Eng Libbis who sadly passed earlier this year.

Any proceeds raised will go towards helping other families tackle one of the toughest times in their lives.

We know times are tough but any amount that you can afford is appreciated. Even if you can share this post that would be amazing.

Thanks in Advance,

Azi and the rest of the Lim family. 

Azaleah's Hair

Wednesday 16th Jul

Azaleah's Hair

Wednesday 16th Jul

Azaleah's Hair

Wednesday 16th Jul

Thank you to my Sponsors

$27.81

Mrs Rk

Well done Azaleah!

$20

The Harpers

What a big heart you have Azi. Well done <3

$22.58

Jody

You are amazing princess. I am so proud of you.

$116

Newtown State School Students

$38.10

Jody's Exercise Group

$10

Kate Gall

$5

Cheryl

$5

Trish

$5

Diane

$5

Marie

$10

Judy

$78

Brianna Short

$20

Emma Lim

$10

The Donnelly's

$50

Nan Nan & Papa

$20

Mum, Dad, Jett & Gummy

We are extremely proud of you Azi. Your fundraising efforts, determination and generous gift will help many people in their time of need. Your level of maturity is amazing.

$54.12

Amy Jordan

$22.58

Isabella Hamilton

$20

Miranda Mason

$101.08

Warwick Isaacson

$22.58

Sara

I worked with your Om Eng in the emergency department. She was a beautiful, inspiring soul and it was a privilege to know her and work alongside her. She will be so proud of you, Azaleah, for doing something so mature, generous and caring in her memory. Lots of love to you and your family 💗

$52.92

Williams Family

Azi, you are doing a beautiful thing. Thank you for raising awareness. Having known some children who have recieved wigs while going through chemotherapy it is very much appreciated!!

$54.12

Leeanne Fabila

Precious gift for Om Eng's heavenly bday 💝🙏

$20

Lea Parkes-moller

$52.92

Eleanor Cole

What an inspiring young lady you are. Eng would be so proud. She was a great friend to me

$101.08

Sharon

Azaleah your Aunty Eng would be so proud. Xoxo

$38.33

Stephanie Kremer

$38.33

Billie R

$101.08

Jeffrey Hooper

$54.12

Emily Law

What a kind and wonderful thing you are doing. Well done on all the fundraising and making a difference!

$22.58

Aprille

❤️❤️❤️

$22.58

Ally Chapman

$22.58

Cheryl Page

$54.12

Yoshi-mia Ishihara

$54.12

Terri Haworth

$100

Anonymous

In memory of Dr Eng

$6.13

Doreen

Well done Emma on your initiative!

$27.21

S & H Gierke

Hollie & I are so very proud of you Azi. You're doing an amazing thing 💜🫶

$11.65

Draper Family

$20

Natasha Horder

So proud of you Azi!

$54.12

Krystle Purvis

Such an amazing young lady!! Azi we love you 😍

$25

Cherie

Amazing work, such an inspiration. X

$22.58

Bernii Grof

$54.12

Daniel Edwards

$54.12

Stephanie Poole

My Bestie Jo has asked for help to add to Azaleahs fundraising. Wishing your daughter great success with her endeavour.

$11.65

Courtney Boisen

$11.65

Lisa, Jason & Tommy

Such a wonderful cause! Well done Azi x

$15

Kelly Keleher

Well done Azi, you are a superstar!

$22.58

Emily Maher

Do it lady

$10

Sina Mata'afa

$20

Tina Dixon

You are absolutely courageous and Caring. May you have a wonderful day when you do the cut. Blessing's to you xx Tina - Perth branch GSB

$54.12

Travis Allan

Great work Azaleah! Thanks for making a difference!

$263.75

Ron Mclean

$50

Yiay

$50

Dtaa

$20

Trine

$54.12

Deb

Azi is superstar. Well done to you all xxx

$33.15

Eri

Go! AZi 🩷you are so beautiful inside and out 🩷🩷your action is amazing!!

$22.58

Kimberlee Haig

$6.13

Melanie Aman

$11.65

Jordana

Nice work!

$54.12

Tieng Lim

Well done Azi, and doing so for an amazing cause xx

$22.58

Nichi Arkinstall

You are an amazing young lady Azi

$106.12

Paul Lewis

Well done Emma!!

$38.33

Tara Footit

$20

Lizzie Lynch

Great job Azi!

$22.58

Anne Maree Mchugh

Great work

$11.65

Haylie Goulding

Very inspiring Azi, well done!

$22.58

The Griffith Family

Way to go Azi 🩷

$38.33

Kimberly Lim

Go Azi! And what a great cause xox

$38.33

Patsie Newsome

Patsie xx

$11.65

Shellie

Good luck Azi

$52.92

Ratana Lim

This is amazing, Azi! So proud that you're raising money for this foundation. Plus, I'll still braid your hair, no matter how short it is.

$27.81

Natasha Reynolds

$106.12

Jo Heard

Azi, you are an inspiration, such a kind thoughtful person 😘😘😘😘

$11.65

Amanda

$27.81

Debbie Blencowe

Good on you, Azi!

$54.12

Sam Beasley

Well done Azi, we are so proud of you. Can't wait to see this happen. Love all the Beasleys

$38.33

Jules Libbis

Good luck 🤞