Kempton CPF hosts cancer campaign
The campaign raised funds for breast cancer patients. People had their hair sprayed in different colours, some shaved off their hair, and others donated their ponytails to CANSA.
Kempton Park CPF sector two recently hosted a breast cancer awareness campaign at Harvest Place Mall.
The campaign raised funds for breast cancer patients.
Visitors lined up to have their hair sprayed in different colours, while others chose to shave off their hair completely.
Several supporters donated ponytails to Cansa, which it will use to craft wigs for patients fighting cancer.
They raised R5 085 through the initiative.
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“It is important as a community to get together. In the last two weeks, I came across two people who had breast cancer, the journey they need to undergo the chemotherapy, operation, and irradiation,” said Izle van den Berg, the organiser and a CPF member.
“The journey is tough, and it’s not a road for everyone to walk. To take a woman’s breasts away scars them for life. I think we need to show support for them,” she added.
“As a community, we need to help survivors. It’s not just for ourselves but for our community.
“We aim to build unity, and I wish we can get our young and old people to become a small collective community,” said Izle.
She said the spraying of hair symbolised everything to do with cancer.
CPF control commander Charl van den Berg said the CPF aims to assist the community daily.
“Many people don’t know much about the CPF, and it is on days like this that we want to make people aware that the Kempton Park CPF is here for them.
“We also have a chance to support Cansa and raise funds for them,” said Van den Berg.
“Cancer being in everybody’s lives and being prevalent, almost everyone is touched by it. Whether you have lost family, you’re a survivor,” said cancer survivor Prashika Naidu.
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“We and the CPF decided to add to the cause and raise awareness. Basically, spraying hair makes you stand out.”
According to Naidu, not everyone will shave off their hair or donate a ponytail, hence the spraying of hair.
Ponytail donations will be handmade into wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.
Wigs are available at Cansa Care Centres and are free.
She said that when a person undergoes chemotherapy, they often lose their hair, and they decided to assist because there isn’t enough done for cancer patients.
“I had cervical cancer seven years ago, but luckily, it was still in the early stages, and I was treated. I also lost my mother to cancer,” said Naidu.
She said Cansa had given them the buffs to sell, and she gave out pink ribbons for free to people who walked into the mall.
Naidu said this was their first initiative, but they aim to do more.
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The CPF were happy about the campaign’s outcome because many people donated and supported it.
Ward Clr Jaco Terblanche was at the campaign and had his hair sprayed.
“Such campaigns are crucial in society because cancer is not just for other people but is there for all of us.
“My mom died of breast cancer, and it is serious that I support and ensure there are funds available to help and create awareness,” said Terblanche.
Desere Nell shaved off her hair in solidarity and to support cancer awareness.
“I have a lot of family members who are battling cancer. Shaving my hair shows they are not alone. Me having hair doesn’t mean I am different from them.”
