Cansa governor and Kensington resident, Mr Manny de Freitas, said it feels almost unbelievable that the Shavathon is now 10 years old and that this year will see the 11th national Cansa Shavathon.
“Hundreds of thousands of South Africans from all walks of life have shown their solidarity with cancer survivors at past annual Shavathon’s when they have either shaved or sprayed their hair. It is still emotional for me to see the many men, women and children every year showing solidarity with cancer survivors and those affected by it,” he said.
This year, corporates, schools and organisations will have the opportunity to host their own Shavathon between February 24 to 28.
Official Cansa Shavathon events will take place at shopping centres across the country on March 1. The cost to shave or spray your hair is R50 for adults and R25 for children under the age of 12.
Mr De Freitas said, “By shaving or spraying hair, it is a visual sign of solidarity with those who have undergone, and are undergoing, cancer therapy when they lose their hair. In addition to the options of shaving or spraying their hair, people also have the opportunity to purchase a Cansa wrap for their hair, at a cost of R50, and to donate their ponytail at Cansa Shavathon’s across the country.
Ponytail donations received by Cansa are handmade into wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair as a result of the cancer treatment.
Wigs are available at all Cansa Care Centres and are provided at no cost to the public. To donate a ponytail, the hair must be at least 22 centimetres in length, clean and dry.
Funds raised go to programmes that Cansa runs in the fight against cancer.
