The Leukaemia Foundation is thrilled to announce internationally acclaimed barber and men’s hairdresser Frank Ciccone as an official Hair Ambassador of its iconic World’s Greatest Shave campaign for 2025.
The Melbourne salon owner, who was recently inducted into the Australian Modern Barber Awards Hall of Fame, is set to bring plenty of style to this year's campaign, with his business Hair by Ciccone crowned International Salon of the Year at the 2024 Social Media Hair and Beauty Awards.
With 30 years of industry experience under his belt – including working with a star-studded list of clientele, from beloved bands like INXS to sporting legends like Tim Cahill – this year, Frank is volunteering his razor-sharp skills to shave, cut and colour participants’ hair and raise critical funds for the 150,000 Australians living with blood cancer[i].
“Many people have sadly been affected or know someone who has had cancer,” Mr Ciccone said.
"My aim is to get more exposure in my community and help create awareness about blood cancer, and the World's Greatest Shave, whilst encouraging people to sign up to shave, cut, or colour this year, or donate to someone who is.”
Meeting new people, building relationships and welcoming returning clients to his salon every day, are aspects of his job that Frank thoroughly enjoys. But over the course of his career, it’s also meant he’s felt the devastating impact of blood cancer in his community.
“I’ve had friends and clients who have sadly passed away from blood cancer, in particular leukaemia,” Mr Ciccone said.
“So, to put my hands up and help out in this way to raise awareness and funds for families affected by this disease, that’s what it’s all about.”
In his role as Hair Ambassador, Frank was proud to kick off this year's World's Greatest Shave by delivering the first shave of the campaign season.
Melbourne father David Leslie teamed up with Frank who shaved his entire head in support of David's 13-year-old stepdaughter Maisy who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June and is currently receiving treatment.
With Australia experiencing a 40 per cent increase in blood cancer incidence in children in the past two decades[ii], and with blood cancers set to become the most prevalent cancer in all age groups by 2035[iii], Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti said the organisation was calling on Australians like Frank and David to throw their support behind this year’s World's Greatest Shave.
"Every day, 55 Australians will hear the devastating words 'you have blood cancer'[iv],” Mr Tanti said.
“A further 17 people will lose their life to blood cancer every day in this country[v]. That’s 17 mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, siblings and grandparents. Seventeen families that lose a loved one.
“By signing up to this year’s World’s Greatest Shave, you can choose to shave, cut or colour your hair in support of Australians impacted by blood cancer with every dollar you raise helping to provide much-needed support and services to patients and their loved ones.”
Funds raised by generous fundraisers will also help to make significant strides towards finding more targeted treatment options for Australians with a blood cancer diagnosis, and fund game-changing research and advocacy, with the goal of achieving zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.
Each year, around 20,000 Australians sign up for the World’s Greatest Shave, with more than two million participants having sacrificed their hair, or donated to someone who has, over the past 27 years.
Sign up to shave, cut or colour your hair in support of Australians facing blood cancer, or donate directly to the World’s Greatest Shave campaign, at worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.
Alternatively, if you would like to support Frank's World's Greatest Shave fundraising campaign, go to worldsgreatestshave.com, click donate, and search ‘Frank Ciccone’.
#LeukaemiaFoundation #WorldsGreatestShave #ThatsBloodyBeautiful
-ENDS-
[i] State of the Nation: Blood Cancers In Australia Report 2023
[ii] AIHW, Cancer Data in Australia, 2024
[iii] Research Roadmap for Blood Cancer
[iv] AIHW, Cancer Data in Australia, 2024
[v] AIHW, Cancer Data in Australia, 2024
About us:
About the Leukaemia Foundation: The Leukaemia Foundation stands with Australia to help cure and conquer blood cancer – with care. Together we are attacking every blood cancer, from every direction, in every way we can. We stand beside every Australian to be their voice and their someone to turn to, fighting to get them access to the best care. We also accelerate research that is delivering rapid advancements in blood cancer diagnosis and treatments. Plus, we provide services and support that empower people living with any blood cancer to live well after diagnosis. You can learn more about the Leukaemia Foundation and blood cancer at leukaemia.org.au.
About Frank Ciccone: Frank Ciccone is a trailblazer of the barbering and styling world, with clientele including sports stars, music legends, big screen names and, of course, his loyal salon patrons. Frank’s clients include the likes of tennis, soccer, cricket and AFL icons. For the past six years, he’s proudly sponsored AFL player Tom De Koning through his affiliation with Carlton Football Club, while also taking care of the cuts and fades of the Melbourne City Football Club and collaborating with the prestigious Ferrari team at the Australian Grand Prix. In the entertainment world, he’s worked with Slash from Guns n’ Roses, and legendary Australian bands INXS, Powderfinger, Birds of Tokyo and Wolfmother. He’s styled Vernon Wells from Mad Max 2 &Commando, as well as the cast of Geordie Shore. Frank’s talents were on full display when he starred as the “Bad Barber” in Netflix’s Australian promotion of The Gray Man. Beyond his impressive work with celebrities, Frank is committed to giving back to his community and continually lends his support to local and international charities. In addition to owning his award-winning salon and barbershop, Hair by Ciccone, Frank has even created his own men’s styling product, SMASH IT. Rounding out 2024, Frank was inducted into the Australian Modern Barber Awards Hall of Fame.
Contact details:
Contact the Leukaemia Foundation media team at media@leukaemia.org.au
