It’s time to “Get Loud in Colour and Give Hope” by planning for the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (Cansa) Shavathon 2018.
This is the 15th Shavathon and the event will be staged in shopping centres around the country on February 24 and 25 and/or in workplaces from February 26 to March 2.
“What should not be lost sight of in the colourful spectacle is the Shavathon is the reality of this disease,” said Maria Scholtz, Cansa’s head of sustainability.
According to her, a recent study published in medical journal Lancet predicts that South Africa could see an increase of 78 per cent of cancer cases by 2030 (Health24, 30 March 2017).
“All Shavathon funds raised help Cansa to continue delivering our care and support programmes.
“We also provide educational materials with information on how to lower the cancer risk and help provide access to early detection of cancer.
“Our Cansa Care Centres offer support in many forms to cancer patients, their families and anyone who wants to know more about the disease,” said Scholtz.
She added that it’s easy to organise your own Shavathon.
“If your workplace, school or organisation would like to organise a Cansa Shavathon, register with us on shavathon.org.za
“Cancer affects everybody in some way and by being involved in raising funds, participants can make a difference. You can help us keep offering care and support programmes, counselling as well as support groups.
“While many have not yet had to adjust to a personal cancer diagnosis in their lives, that doesn’t mean that they will never be personally affected by the mayhem it triggers,” Scholtz said.
She added that not only has the shaving or spraying of heads become symbolic gestures in support of cancer patients and cancer survivors, it continues to ease the strain experienced by patients who lose their hair while undergoing treatment.
“While cancer itself doesn’t typically cause hair loss, chemotherapy and certain radiation do, mainly on the head.”
Here’s how you can support the Shavathon:
- Shave your head.
- Spray your hair.
- Pay a ‘bail-out’ fee online by visiting www.shavathon.org.za
- Solidarity for cancer patients and survivors can be shown by adults giving R50 and children, under the age of 12, giving R25.
- As part of the 2018 campaign, people that shave and spray can buy a special limited edition Shavathon badge at only R5 to show how they have supported the cause.
- A specially-designed limited badge will be made available free to those donating ponytails of hair of 25cm or longer.
Visit www.cansa.org.za, www.shavathon.org.za, contact Cansa toll-free on 0800 22 66 22 or email info@cansa.org.za
