Brescia House School came alive with colour at its annual Shavathon.
Learners and teachers joined in on the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (Cansa) 17th anniversary of the Shavathon on 13 March. The Shavathon has remained one of the cancer association’s biggest and most-loved fundraising events, showing solidarity within the community.
The Brescia House School community showed their support for the learners, parents and staff members who are dealing with cancer, either personally or with a close family member or friend. “Many people who undergo chemotherapy treatment for this illness lose their hair. People who shave their heads are therefore showing solidarity and support for those suffering from this illness,” said the school spokesperson Helga Bishop.
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage to deliberately have one’s hair cut exceptionally short or shaved off – if it was easy we would have far more people volunteer to do it,” she added.
The school also uses the Shavathon as a time to quietly remember loved ones who have died from this illness.
Three learners had their heads shaved and five cut off their ponytails (at least 25cm is needed to make wigs). Megann Horey, Bivika Govender, Erin Spindler, Dominique Farkas and Josephine Harty all donated their locks. Caitlin Felton and Julia Dedering took the plunge and had their heads shaved. In addition to this, another learner, Danielle de Simone donated her long hair to the Kindest Cut Campaign.
According to Bishop, the primary school also contributed by purchasing ribbons for their Ribbon-a-thon. “They looked absolutely beautiful with their bright ribbons weaved through their hair while the high school girls had their hair vibrantly colour sprayed,” she said.
All the money raised will be sent to Cansa. “We remain ever-mindful of those affected by cancer in any way and thank our parents for their contributions towards Cansa.”
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