Cansa to host its 11th Shavathon
Cansa governor, Manny de Freitas, says that the Cansa Shavathon is now a decade old, and that 2014 is the 11th National Cansa Shavathon.
“Hundreds of thousands of South Africans of all walks of life have shown their solidarity with cancer survivors at the past annual Shavathons when they have either shaved or sprayed their hair,” de Freitas says.
He adds that it is still emotional for him to see the many men, women and children every year showing solidarity with cancer survivors and those affected by it.
“Cansa plans on making this year’s Shavathon the biggest yet.”
As it has been done in previous years, corporates, schools and organisations will have the opportunity to host their own Shavathon between February 24 and 28.
Official Cansa Shavathon events will take place at shopping centres across the country on Saturday, March 1, where the cost to shave or spray your hair or donate a ponytail is R50 for adults, and R25 for children under 12 years of age.
De Freitas says that by shaving or spraying hair, it is a visual sign of solidarity with those who have undergone and are undergoing cancer therapy when they lose their hair.
In addition to the options of shaving or spraying their hair, people also have the opportunity to purchase a Cansa Wrap for their hair and to also donate their ponytail at Cansa Shavathon’s across the country.
Ponytail donations received by Cansa are handmade into wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair as a result of their cancer treatment.
Great pride is taken in making the wigs, to ensure the wig is as close to a natural look as possible. Wigs are available at all Cansa Care Centres and provided at no cost to the public.
To donate a ponytail, hair must be at least 22cm in length, and must be clean and dry.
De Freitas said that all funds raised go to the important programmes that Cansa runs in the fight against cancer.
