WATCH: Fay let’s down her hair for CANSA
Fay Pennefather was inspired to donate her hair to cancer patients. She said donations can help make someone feel beautiful again.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/05/21drhair1_68795.jpg)
COWIES Hill resident, Fay Pennefather, is hoping her small act of kindness will encourage others to do the same, and help a patient suffering with cancer.
Seven-year-old Fay Pennefather was inspired to help the patients by cutting her hair and donating it to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
She said there had been a new trend at her school, St Mary’s DSG, with a few girls cutting their hair short.
ALSO READ: Westville community supports CANSA Shavathon
Fay spoke to her mom, Carli Gillingwater, about doing the same, and even though Fay had never cut her hair before, her mom encouraged her to do it for CANSA.
She explained to Fay what CANSA is all about and some of the challenges cancer patients are faced with, specifically hair loss.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/05/21drhair3_16577-520x390.jpg)
Carli made a promise to her daughter that she would allow her to cut her hair once it was long enough to donate to CANSA.
“She’s always had long hair, we’ve never cut it, only trimmed it when it was needed. So, its a huge deal to us to have her hair cut for the first time and that for charity too,” said Carli.
Fay accompanied her mom and grandmother, Dale Gillingwater, to CM Hair Design in Ashley last Friday and hairstylist, Renette de Kock was delighted to help.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/05/21drhair6_25044-520x390.jpg)
Fay’s grandmother described Fay as a sweetheart and a kind child. “It’s really such an achievement for her,” she added.
ALSO READ: Watercrest raises R 9 500 for CANSA
When asked what’s going to happen to her hair, Fay replied:
“It’s going to get donated to CANSA and they will make it into a wig for a child or patient with no hair.”
The 25cm length hair will be delivered to the CANSA Durban office which will then be couriered to Johannesburg where a specialist wig-manufacturer prepares the hair for a human hair wigs or acrylic wigs.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/05/21drhair8_55500-520x390.jpg)
Fay had her hair styled into a short bob. She said even though it feels like she has no hair now, she knows that she made the right decision and hoped that other girls would follow suit to help make other patients happy too.
Watch at little Fay explains the importance of cutting your hair for CANSA.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.