Instead of the usual haircut, our author has made a different decision: she is taking part in this year’s Hair for Hope campaign! The motto for 2024 is “Hope is in your hands”.
Two months ago, I had this wild idea: instead of getting my hair cut like usual, I wanted to shave it off.
I shared the idea with my best friend and she pointed me to Hair for hope — the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) advocacy and fundraising campaign. That’s when I learned that I could raise money for children with cancer by cutting their hair.
Cancer, like any other health challenge, is costly, a struggle for caregivers and demotivating for patients. Having to endure both emotional and physical pain is something I cannot imagine in adults, let alone children.
The least we can do to support others is to raise money to benefit families in need. And this platform allows us common people to raise money for the good cause – a brilliant idea!
Weeks before what I callEd. “Shave HeAdvertisement DYes”, I Videos were uploaded to call for donations and it was a pleasureI have raiseD the amount that initially goal. To be honest, I was afraid that I would not be able to and that I would be abandoning the children.
When it came to the actual shave, I sat there and all kinds of feelings and thoughts went through my head:
“I do this voluntarily because I know my hair will grow back and I will live another day. But what about the families, caregivers and children who don’t know what the next few hours or days will bring for them?
How do you feel?
Is what I am doing even enough?
How would I teach a child that his body does not match that of the people around him?
How do they walk this path and how do they heal from it?”
I remembered my boss’s words: “Keep smiling! Enjoy the process.” So I did. I smiled! I remembered that my contribution right now is to raise money for the families.
It was a moment of realization and reorientation. We all have a path ahead of us, and what makes a difference is how we perceive that path and make the most of our human experience.
If we face it with courage, confidence, and kindness, with a smile on our faces, hope will remain in our bodies and minds; and our souls will feel gratitude in return. Focusing on the joy rather than worrying about the next moment is what keeps hope alive – no matter how hard our lives may be, we can choose to be content and hopeful.
When I came down from the stage, I was greeted by my friends with fist bumps and cheers who were there, IIt really meant a lot to me to have support both online and in person.
Walking around with a bald head has been quite an experience. I’ve received quite a few rude and pushy looks, a few curious glances and a few smiles and nods.
But it seems that out of five encounters, three are positive:
Fresh from my shave, a lady came up to me and gave me a very encouraging message of support and respect: “I just want you to know that you look fantastic. That’s a really great thing you’ve done!”
At a street stall I was given extra meatballs and an encouraging smile.
And the bus drivers who travel the routes near my home now greet me in the morning with a nod and a “Good morning!”
I have received kind words of appreciation in person and on social media for my brave act and I want to share this message with all the children who are bravely seeking their treatment: It is OK to be bald. What is more important than your hair is YOU – you being there, and that is more than enough.
Just as kindness comes from consideration and kind gestures, it is up to us to give hope.
We can make a difference, big or small. Get involved in a cause you care about and do your part. Make someone smile today.
