CANSA’s kindest haircut: How to donate hair to cancer survivors

Cancer patients often undergo chemotherapy.

Hair loss can occur when chemotherapy drugs travel throughout the body to kill cancer cells and some of these drugs damage hair follicles causing the hair to fall out. Hair loss is a common side-effect of chemotherapy treatment.

Cansa has established its Kindest Cut campaign to give human hair wigs to survivors who have lost their hair.

How does it work?

• Through Cansa’s Kindest Cut campaign, they receive human hair donations (ponytails) to make sufficient wigs for cancer survivors who request them.
• These wigs are then distributed, as requested, to Cansa Care Centres all over the country and given to cancer survivors who need it most.

What kind of hair is accepted?

Cansa welcomes all types of hair for donation. Although it is preferred that the ponytail be 25cm or longer, shorter hair is also acceptable as it can be used as filler hair. The organisation also does stock African hair wigs for patients.

What are the requirements?

• Ponytail donation that is 25cm or longer. Shorter hair may be used as a filler.
• Hair should be clean and dry.
• All hair whether dyed or treated is acceptable.
• When cutting the hair, please bind both ends with an elastic band and place in a zip-lock bag (this preserves it in the best condition while being transported to the wig manufacturer).
• Send your hair donation in a plastic bag with your name and contact details on it.

Where do I take the hair?

The hair can be sent to Cansa via post or drop-off:

Postage:

For att: Lucinda Carter

Cansa head office

PO Box 2121, Bedfordview 2008.

Drop off:

You can drop off the hair at your local Cansa Care Centre – phone the care centre for address details or

at Cansa’s head office: 26 Concorde Road West, Bedfordview.

Related articles:

https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/350093/cancer-in-children/

https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/360453/breast-cancer-survivor-celebrates-two-birthdays-a-year/

https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/357972/all-about-breast-cancer-during-pregnancy/