A RUBERY cancer sufferer has sacrificed her flowing blonde locks in aid of those devastated by the disease.

Maxine Myslowski, from Graham Crescent, is currently fighting breast cancer. Maxine and her friend Albert Smith, who won his battle against bowel cancer, shaved their heads to raise money for Cancer Research and the Acorn Children's Hospice.

The 43-year-old nurse, who has worked at Rubery Hill Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham, is currently waiting on results of a bone scan to discover whether or not the cancer is spreading, but she remains upbeat despite her ordeal.

"It was about three months ago that I found something was wrong, but nothing was showing up," she explains.

"They did a mammogram five weeks later which was clear, but then the ultrasound showed a lump.

"The Alexandra Hospital in Redditch took care of everything, and I'd like to say thank you to Doctor Irwin, and my GP Dr Cooper, because without them I wouldn't still be sat here. I'm still waiting on results, but I'm positive I'm going to get through it."

Albert, aged 59, from Tresco Close, Rubery, was also full of praise for the treatment he received, as he was given the all clear after his operation in January last year.

"I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2003. I had my operation in January 2004 and it was all done in two months. I'm doing this charity head shave to show my gratitude for what they did for me."

Maxine is now calling for the Government to make cancer drugs freely available to sufferers.

"If there's anything available to help people suffering from cancer, they should be able to have it," she said.

The pair let friends and relatives shave their heads on Sunday evening, charging them £5 per inch shaved.