When father-of-three Rob Lane was diagnosed with cancer just days before Christmas, he refused to let the news floor him.

Instead, at the same time as beginning chemotherapy, he started fund-raising producing a staggering $80,000 for the St Baldrick's children's charity in just three weeks.

Mr. Lane, 43, who used to have long blond hair, got his friends and business contacts to sponsor him to shave it off during a fund-raising night at the Pickled Onion bar.

He explained: "I had all this hair and St. Baldrick's has always tried to get me to do it, and I admit that for various reasons mostly because I was just a wimp about it I never did.

"I ended up realising this was a great opportunity to do something very special for children's cancer research. I would most likely be losing my hair so I thought I would rather take the situation in my own hands on my own terms."

Mr. Lane, who is originally from Chicago and has lived in Bermuda since 2001, first found out he had cancer two weeks before Christmas. He visited his doctor complaining of back pain and a scan revealed a tumour on his spine.

He was sent to Massachusetts General in Boston the following week where he consulted with several oncologists. After further tests, he came back to Bermuda to spend Christmas with his family. On Boxing Day, his doctor called to tell him he has non-Hodgkins Follicular Lymphoma.

"It's a very treatable disease but it's not curable," explained Mr. Lane. "My doctor said 'this is a great diagnosis for you. If you're going to have cancer, this is the cancer you want to have'. This is not about me I'm going to be fine. I've got an opportunity here to do something really cool."

Mr. Lane, who's executive vice president and chief legal counsel at Willis Bermuda, set about e-mailing his friends and business contacts to ask them to back his fund-raising idea. For many, it was the first they'd heard of his illness.

"I've got a battle on my hands, but one that I will win with a positive attitude and with the support of my friends and family," he wrote in early January, the day before his first chemotherapy session. "Hopefully there will be a few moments of inspiration along the way for those of you who will follow me on my journey."

His message resulted in a large turnout for his fund-raising night at the Pickled Onion on January 21. Mr. Lane was amazed by the result his supporters donated $6,000 in cash on the night, and he's since gathered more than $74,000 more through pledges.

His friend, Drew Dinsmore, an underwriter at Max Bermuda pledged $600 to wield the clippers. Meanwhile Mr. Lane's children Ryan, 13, and Alexis 11, helped finish the job off with three-year-old Olivia and his wife Melissa cheering them on.

"It was amazing the people that showed up. I had my George Bailey 'It's a Wonderful Life' moment. Talk about taking a situation like cancer and creating a moment for myself and my family and my children that was so special," he said. "The fund-raiser was remarkable and it was a testament to the people of Bermuda."

He added: "Since I was diagnosed I've spoken to hundreds of people. Everybody has a different reaction to the news but the one that everybody brings forward is fear. I can hear it in their voices. My point at the fund-raiser was that had you been in the doctor's appointments my wife and I have been in at Massachusetts General, you would realise that fear is the last thing on your mind. The arsenal of drugs they have to fight these things now is so incredible and so effective. The doctors talk so confidently to us and that's directly attributable to these kinds of efforts to raise money for research."

Mr. Lane is grateful to Vanessa Pereira of the Bermuda St. Baldrick's committee and Phil Barnett of Island Restaurant Group for their help in organising the event. Meanwhile, drugs are helping to keep the side-effects from the chemotherapy under control and Mr. Lane, a regular gym-goer, explained: "I've been able to continue to work, and workout and have my family life."

His wife of 15 years, Melissa, said: "Rob is the ultimate optimist. I'm amazed how positive and upbeat he's been. He's always there to bring me up but when it comes to the diagnosis, even knowing Rob, I'm completely in awe as to how he's stayed so upbeat and positive. Turning lemons into lemonade that's what this is all about."

Mr. Lane has set himself the goal of raising $150,000 for St Baldrick's. To donate, visit www.stbaldricks.org and type Rob Lane into the search box to pull up his page.