FOR many people, their hair is part of their identity — and one Okehampton woman is going to shave her hair off in a poignant fundraiser to show support for her mother-in-law.

Anna Stokes was diagnosed with multiple myeloma just over a year ago. The disease is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies. Collections of abnormal cells accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with the production of normal blood cells.

Starla-Blue Grehan has made the decision to shave off her hair in support of Anna, who lost her hair during her most recent round of chemotherapy.

Seeing Anna battle the illness has proven particularly hard for Starla and her family, as Anna appeared completely healthy before her diagnosis.

Starla said:?'When someone you love goes through this, it really puts things into perspective. My worries from day to day would be, "I hope my hair looks okay today at work". My mother-in-law worries "I hope I survive this next round of chemo". It doesn't even compare.

'Throughout this whole process she has never let it get her down. I helped her to style her wigs and try out new looks, but I know it is not the same as going to the hairdressers and having your own hair styled.

'I wanted her to know she is not alone and that even though she had no choice but to lose her hair, I choose to lose mine to support her and show her I am right at the front line with her.'

Starla will have her head shaved at Quinns Hairdressers on December 3, and is not only using the head shaving as a chance to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, but is donating her hair to have a wig made to directly help someone else.

People can also donate by texting CUTS95 plus a donation amount — for example, CUTS95 5 to donate £5, to 70070.