When young Bailey MacDonald found out her father was diagnosed with cancer, she decided to act.
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The 12-year-old created Bailey's Scrunchies for a Cause, a non-for-profit enterprise selling scrunchies between $4 and $6, in an effort to raise money for the South West Regional Cancer Centre.
In October 2017, her father Garry 'Macca' MacDonald was diagnosed with cancer and further investigation revealed he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
At the time, Bailey was only 10 when she watched her father go through his treatment. While there was sad moments, her level-head and perseverance allowed her to find inspiration within herself to do something to make a difference.
"I wanted to give some money to the cancer centre after they did such a good job with dad," Bailey said.
"I hope this money might help to find a cure but I just hope it can make life a bit easier for sufferers and their families."
Bailey's father is proud of his daughter's decision to do so much work to give back to Warrnambool's cancer centre.
"She's just amazing," Mr MacDonald said.
"I finished treatment over 12 months ago which is a bit surreal.
"But we are so lucky to have the local cancer centre and to stay at home and be treated by unbelievably caring staff and nurses who have that country warmth and who actually asked how I was going.
"I just feel so lucky."
The year six student at St Patrick's Koroit has already built awareness and collected many donations for cancer research in the south-west through donating her hair to make a wig, organising a local dog-walking fundraiser and promoting Light the Night which raises funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Altogether, she has raised almost $500.
Mother Adele MacDonald described her daughter as a humble girl.
"It all came from her," she said.
"Bailey said 'right,I'm going to grow my hair for a wig'. She grew and grew it and chopped it off. And even though she didn't like it she's doing it again.
"When her dad was sick she had the idea to make scrunchies. She tried to hand sew and hot glue gun them but neither of those work so eventually we decided to get her a sewing machine.
"I'm no sewer and I have never touched a machine, she does it all herself.
"South West Regional Cancer Centre allowed our family to stay together and Bailey was really happy her dad could received such great, personalised care.
"As the eldest, she's been doing such a brilliant job navigating her way through. Her initiative, drive, determination and patience just blows me away."
Bailey's desire to spend hours a week behind her sewing machine has resulted in her producing over 250 stylish and funky scrunchies which are already for sale at The Local Place in Koroit, and Yellow Owl Hairdresser, Direct Chemist Outlet and Dollish Nails in Warrnambool. Tomorrow night the youngster will be selling her hair accessories at the Koroit football club rooms from 5.30pm.
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