Great fun for great CANSA cause at shavathon

EASTCLIFF – Shopping Malls around Johannesburg took part in the CANSA shavathon, that aims to raise funds and hair for courageous cancer survivors who are soldiering through life.

Seven-year cancer survivor and five-year CANSA shavathon volunteer Rudi Storm from Alberton joined JJ Ackerman from FNB Head Office, who came with volunteers from her office and students from various universities who have participated annually, bringing fun and colour to The Glen food court on March 1.

Volunteers assisted in shaving people’s heads, cutting ponytails and also painting some people’s heads, all in the name of CANSA.

“I’m a seven-year cancer survivor, so for me this is a big way of giving back. When I was in hospital, there were 23 childhood cancer patients, but only 21 of us survived,” revealed Rudi at the shavathon.

He further noted that the people who donate their hair at the CANSA shavathon events help a lot of school girls, who become able to attend school without feeling embarrassed about not having hair and it helps them to feel normal.

“I also do this because I’ve seen the positive change and effect it has on kids,” added Rudi.

The strands of hair donated are used to make wigs, which are then used by people affected by cancer and have lost their hair as a result of the disease and chemotherapy treatments.

Men, women and children of all ages approached the information desk requesting more information on how they could do their part in contributing to the cause, with some of the donators opting to rather have their heads painted, while some were excited about getting their locks shaved off.

Volunteers at the shavathon said that they contribute their time because they know people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Rudi appealed to communities not to be shy or only donate their money and hair, but also to volunteer their time at CANSA shavathon events, as they are always short of volunteers.