Grandmother inspired by Ethan’s story

Ethan Mason and Geraldton woman Molly Bruce have been drawn together by his illness and her compassion.

The pair met last week, for the first time.

They chatted about Ethan’s recent visit to the swimming pool and England, where Mrs Bruce was born.

Ethan, who loves science, building things and using his imagination, discovered he and Mrs Bruce both liked doing jigsaw puzzles, and they also talked about another thing they have in common — they both dyed their hair to raise money for a very special cause.

Mrs Bruce decided to colour her hair to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation after she read about five-year-old Ethan inThe Geraldton Guardian in February and March.

She coloured her hair an unusual shade of red and raised $609.30 after her heart was touched by Ethan’s and his family’s courage in the face of his illness.

The grandmother-of-three said she felt she had to do something to help, so she registered to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave and pressed friends and family for donations.

“That was what prompted me, what they were going through,” she said.

“I thought if I could do something, I would.

“I was very pleased to be able to help.”

Ethan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December, 2012.

Last month, he finished his final round of chemotherapy and also took part in the World’s Greatest Shave.

He had his hair coloured yellow and green and his father, Aaron Mason, had his head shaved.

Together, the pair and raised $1961 to help families battling leukaemia.

Ethan’s mother, Linda Mason, said her family wanted to support the Leukaemia Foundation because it had supported them throughout Ethan’s treatment.

She said funds from the annual fundraising campaign were used for medical research and to help families like hers with transportation, bills and other expenses.

Mrs Mason said Ethan had finished the gruelling chemotherapy treatment and was now taking medication to protect him from infections while his body was still vulnerable.

She said he was looking forward to a trip to the Gold Coast later in the year, made possible by the charity, Make-a-Wish.