Hundreds of residents showed their empathy with cancer patients and survivors over the past weekend by participating in the nationwide Cansa Shavathon 2014.
On Saturday 1 March residents streamed to local shopping centres to show their support by spraying, cutting or shaving their hair in support of cancer patients. The Record visited Princess Crossing, the Village @ Horizon and Westgate Shopping Centre to witness the annual event. Residents left the Shavathon stations with either dramatically shorter hair or a vibrant new hair colour. This year, the Cansa Wrap also was introduced, sold at R50 per wrap, that residents could buy if they wanted to express their support differently.
Despite the weather, the Shavathon was quite successful at the various venues. Ronél Vermaak, Western Gauteng regional manager and relationship manager at Cansa West Rand on Ontdekkers Road, praised residents for their contributions.
“I really would like to thank my wonderful staff and our fantastic volunteers for making another year a grand success.
“Without the public, we would not have been able to host another great Shavathon.
“Thank you to local businesses, as well, for their support,and let us not forget the grace with which shopping centres in Roodepoort and Krugersdorp helped us.
“The West Rand really opened their hearts to the fight against cancer this year.”
Vermaak will release the official statistics regarding the Shavathon this year soon.
See an interview with Shavathon supporter Anest Myburgh here.
See photos of the Village @ Horizon’s Shavathon here.
See photos of Princess Crossing’s Shavathon here.
See photos of Westgate Shopping Centre’s Shavathon here.