A CANCER survivor and two friends are dyeing their hair pink before shaving it off to raise money for breast cancer charities.

The three women from Usk, Rachel Drago, Victoria Boxhall-James and Kay Peacock, are hoping to raise £4000 to be split between St. David’s Hospice and Breast Cancer Care.

Rachel Drago was diagnosed with breast cancer after weight loss revealed two lumps, four years ago. After undergoing a mastectomy, she underwent six rounds of chemotherapy before returning to work in 2010.

She said: “I’m not nervous about being pink, but I’m really nervous about being bald again. The last time I was bald, I was very ill.

“But this time it feels totally different.”

Ms Peacock a local lollipop lady was the first to dye her hair a very fuchsia shade of pink.

“It’s caused a little bit of a stir,” Mrs Drago said, “I can’t wait.”

Mrs Drago, a nurse at a GP surgery in Western Super-mare, is planning on starting off with a pastel shade, but dyeing it brighter as the time goes on.

The mother-of-two said: “They’ve given me their whole-hearted backing. I’m so lucky they are behind me.

“It means in my day to day work, I can talk to people and say how important it is to check for cancer.”

The women are approaching lots of local business to support them and have already experienced great generosity.

A helicopter ride has already been donated, as well as The Bear in Crickhowell donating prizes to be raffled off. Mrs Drago is delighted to raise money for the St. David’s hospice.

She said: “They were fantastic when I was ill.

“We are lucky that where we live in Gwent, we have got this service.”

The fundraising party, where the women will be shaving their heads, starts at 4pm on October 19 at the Newcourt Hotel on Maryport Street, Usk.

To support the women, go to www.justgiving.com/RACHEL-DRAGO1