‘She’s the life of the party’: Geelong community rallies for local hairdresser diagnosed with terminal cancer
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09.06.2022

‘She’s the life of the party’: Geelong community rallies for local hairdresser diagnosed with terminal cancer

Nikki Rosman with son Jude and partner Rosh

A GoFundMe has raised thousands after Geelong hairdresser Nikki Rosman was diagnosed with two types of cancer.

The Geelong community is currently rallying behind a Grovedale resident Nikki Rosman after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Nikki, of Mason’s Hair Studio, was diagnosed with two types of cancer in February – neuroendocrine and adenocarcinoma. One is far less responsive to treatment than the other. She is currently undergoing intense chemotherapy to try and stop the cancer from growing, and to give her more time with her young family.

Upon her diagnosis, Nikki immediately stopped working at her beloved Hair Studio. Her partner Rosh has been able to continue working thanks to the support of Nikki’s parents, who moved immediately from Perth to be with her. She was also lucky enough to spend this past school term with her brother Ben and his family.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here

The news of Nikki’s cancer diagnosis sent a ripple that started in Geelong and has travelled to Perth, Scotland and around the world, with many wishing to help. Now a GoFundMe page has been set up by friends Kellie Bright and Kate Wallace to help support Nikki’s family, and already the fundraiser has raised more than $25K in just three days.

“To know Nikki is to fall immediately in love with her. She’s the life of the party, the troublemaker, the one with the big laugh and the warm smile, the coolest girl in any room, the best hairdresser in the whole world, owner of that unmistakable raspy voice, the first to run over for a cuddle, the last to leave, the keeper of a million secrets and the one who happily shares every detail of her life with her beloved clients,” the GoFundMe read.

“She’s also the most incredible mum. Rosh and Nikki welcomed Baby Jude in April 2020, and he has bought so much joy to their lives (not forgetting their first baby, Ronnie Hopkins!”

Nikki’s friends are hoping this campaign will ease the financial burden on Rosh and Nikki so they can be there for son Jude.

“All proceeds will go towards Nikki’s immediate needs (medical bills, childcare costs etc) and also towards the future. If you can spare any amount, we know Nikki and her family will be so grateful.

“It hasn’t been easy for Nikki to ask for help, but so many people reached out after the launch of Ernest & Joe’s Sweet Nik charm  that we felt they needed a place to show their support. We would never do this without her blessing. We look forward to seeing your messages of love and support.”

All funds will be transferred directly to Nikki’s partner Rosh and will be used for medical bills, childcare, food, petrol and other daily expenses while Nikki is out of work.

This article was originally published on June 9. On 29 June 2022, Nikki passed away. 

“This morning we said goodbye to our beautiful Nikki… we will miss her dearly but find so much comfort that she’s not in anymore pain,” Kate Wallace shared with the Go Fund Me, which at time of writing has raised more than $75,000.

“I personally would love to thank every person that has donated, given time, sent flowers & food, had her in your thoughts. It really filled her heart with joy and made Rosh feel like he had the whole community behind him.

“I will leave you with Nikki’s words regarding her feelings towards this GoFundMe:

“This has shown me, not because of the money, but the sheer volume of rallying, love, kindness and generosity there is toward me and my family. I couldn’t feel more support and at ease. The community that this GoFundMe has exposed is really fucking something else. Financially I didn’t realise how much this has helped. Moving forward it means Rosh can focus on Jude without the stress of work for a little while.

This has honestly put a little tone of rose over a pretty dark time. I’m forever grateful.”

You can donate to Nikki’s GoFundMe here