While the World's Greatest Shave, an event to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation, isn't until March 11-13, Ms Chianese wanted to mark her milestone with the gutsy chop.

"I'd been thinking about doing it for a while," she said.

"But after my cousin died in September of leukaemia, I decided I wanted to do this and I thought my 21st was a great opportunity."

Her cousin, Adam, was just 25 and had suffered the illness for two years.

"He was such a happy person and he fought it hard. We were all always in and out of the hospital visiting him."

Her birthday party was held on February 20.

"It was funny really, feeling it all come off, but it is worth if for sure."

Ms Chianese works early mornings and said that was when she misses

her hair.

"It's really cold on the back of my neck in the mornings so I sometimes wear a hat, but otherwise I'm happy to show it off."

She is still seeking donations from family and friends and hopes to raise $1000 for Leukaemia Foundation patient care and research.

Ms Chianese is urging others to get behind the initiative and register for a great shave.

Money raised will be used to fund cutting-edge research into treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The money will also fund support services for blood cancer patients and families.

To sponsor, register to shave or to colour your hair, visit visit here or call 1800500 088.