Zoe had always been close to her father Trevor. They shared a special bond, and he was her rock, always supporting and encouraging her. When he passed away after a short but brave battle with cancer, Zoe was devastated. She wanted to find a way to honour his memory, and to make a positive impact in his name.
Her mother Debbie encouraged her, and told her about how patients with cancer, who undergo chemotherapy, often lose their hair. Debbie explained to her daughter how this could make someone, already struggling with their health, feel distressed and self-conscious about their appearance, and how difficult it was for them to adjust to the physical changes brought on by their treatment.
Zoe’s beautiful long hair was always her Dad’s pride and joy, and he loved to brush it for her, finding peace in the simple, rhythmic action, and watching the waves of lustrous dark locks fall back into place with a life of their own.
Zoe could not imagine how sad it must be for those who lose their hair, and when her Mom told her about the hair donation program that CANSA (The Cancer Association of South Africa) runs, she decided then and there that donating her own hair was the perfect gift she could give someone in honour of her Dad.
On her daughter’s behalf, Debbie researched the requirements for hair donation and made sure to follow them carefully. The requirements are :
- Ponytail donation should be 25 cm or longer
- Hair should be clean and dry
- All hair whether dyed or treated is acceptable
- Unfortunately dreadlocks cannot be used
- When cutting the hair, bind both ends with an elastic band and place in a zip-lock bag (you can ask your hairdresser to do this for you)
- Place this in a plastic bag with your name and contact details on it, and drop it off at your nearest Hospice or CANSA branch
Helderberg Hospice gathers hair donations on CANSA’s behalf at 21 Old Stellenbosch Road, Helenea Height, Somerset West, 7135.