Hair today, gone tomorrow
A remarkable wife and mother, Madelaine Roode, decided to participate in the CANSA's Kindest Cut Wig Campaign after her husband, Grant Roode, was first diagnosed with melanoma cancer in 2013. He is now in full remission.
“The least I could do was to grow my hair while he was going through his cancer treatments. I have been told that donating your hair is a much more personal gift than sending money to CANSA, which is also very needed and welcome. It has been such a rewarding process. CANSA uses human hair donations in order to make sufficient wigs for cancer survivors requesting them. The first time I shaved my hair, I managed to donate over 56 centimeters. This time it took three years for my hair to grow another 30 centimeters,” said Madelaine.
Lize Maritz of Jar-Z-Licious Salon insisted on cutting her hair this time. The previous time Madelaine shaved her hair was at a CANSA Shavathon, and there was not much left to work with.
“I only wish my hair grew faster so that I could do this more often. My son, Dade, now 20, also had special permission from his principal to grow his hair for a donation when he was 17. Our daughter, Adelaide (17), is also very supportive, and is my little cheerleader,” said Madelaine.
The two friends had a blast last week during the process and Madelaine walked out of the salon with a stylish pixie cut.
* CANSA distributes the wigs as requested to its care centers all over the country. It is given to cancer survivors who need it most. CANSA welcomes all types of hair for donation, although it is preferred that the length of hair is 25 centimeters or longer. To learn more about CANSA and its integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer, visit www.cansa.org.za.
