Karen lost her battle with cervical cancer in 2018 at age 42 and Ian wants to do something "to outsmart" the disease, so he's raising money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).

Ian is a clean-cut kind of guy but for the next few months he's ditching the clippers and taking on the ACRF Shave.

He stopped his grooming routine on February 1 and set a goal to raise $2500 by August 1 when he will shave the lot off.

"I'm going to look like Santa by August," Ian laughed.

For Ian, it's the least he can do to pay tribute to Karen.

"She was my best mate. She was amazing," he said.

Throughout her life, Karen lived in a few places including Gloucester.

Karen was a real connoisseur and could be seen partaking in a cup or two at the cafes around town when she wasn't in Newcastle working for Life Without Barriers.

In fact, her passion for the glorious roasted bean was so strong she eventually found herself working at Starbucks.

But Ian's relationship with his only daughter went far beyond the mutual love of a cup of coffee.

Karen was a strong shoulder for Ian when he lost his wife Eva in 2016.

"The hardest part was that I wouldn't have gotten through losing Eva if it wasn't for her. Then I lost her too," Ian said.

According to Ian, Karen didn't stand a chance against the disease.

Despite going for regular pap tests, nothing was detected.

She passed away five weeks after being diagnosed.

Ian believes that "a world without cancer is possible", so he's doing his part to help make that happen.

To donate to Ian's day to shave, visit shave.acrf.com.au/fundraisers/ianparks.

The ACRF mission is to outsmart cancer by providing world-class scientists with the equipment they need to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer.

ACRF provides grants that fund the technology, equipment and infrastructure researchers need.