Donate hair to help people

For women, long hair is a characteristic beauty, expressing femininity. However, there are young people who are willing to give their hair as a way to give more love and hope to breast cancer patients.

Accidentally learning about the hair donation activity for the BCNV Hair Library program (initiated by the Vietnam Breast Cancer Network) on Facebook, Vo Nguyen Hoang My (born in 2007, in Le Hong Phong ward, Quy Nhon city) still clearly remembers the emotional feeling when watching clips about the joy of young patients when wearing wigs donated by people.

My shared that before, she only knew that patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy would lose their hair; but she did not know that there was such a meaningful donation activity. Therefore, as soon as she understood the methods and rules of participation, in early October 2022, My cut 30 cm of hair and sent it to the library.

My confided: “Our lost hair can grow back. But for cancer patients, it is very difficult. Therefore, I am willing to donate a part of my hair, hoping to spread positive energy and send words of encouragement to them, especially children who are fighting the disease.”

After donating her hair, My invited her classmate Ho Nguyet Linh (born in 2007, in Ly Thuong Kiet ward, Quy Nhon city) to join her. Without hesitation, Linh also donated 45 cm - half of the hair that Linh was extremely proud of and cherished since childhood.

Since then, the two friends who were often remembered for their long, jet-black hair have both changed their appearance with short, stylish hair. At first, both of them were not used to losing their familiar hair, but when they received feedback from the program, My and Linh were both happy with what they had done.

“I have had long hair since I was a child, and because I treasured it so much, I never cut it until I joined the hair donation program for cancer patients. I understand that there is something more precious than hair, which is sympathy and sharing with less fortunate people even though I have never known or met them,” Linh confided.

Not only My and Linh, there are elementary school students who, although still very young, know how to give voluntarily. Phan Ngoc Minh (born in 2016, in Ghenh Rang ward, Quy Nhon city) is such a case. Minh was born with double left kidney disease and hydronephrosis in the upper kidney, so since the age of 3 months, he had to go to the hospital for treatment and regular antibiotic injections. Therefore, for Minh's family, nothing is more important than fighting and overcoming the disease with him. However, contrary to his parents' worries, he is still innocent, active and always smiling.

Minh excitedly cut his hair and donated it to breast cancer patients. Minh's handwritten letter was attached when he sent his hair to the program. Photo: NVCC

One time, Minh had to go to the provincial hospital for treatment. While waiting for his turn, he saw an elderly patient with no hair, so he asked her about her and learned that she had cancer and all her hair had fallen out due to chemotherapy. When he got home, he told his mother about that meeting and expressed his desire to donate his hair.

Ms. Tran Thi Ha Phuong, Minh's mother, shared: "A few days ago, my son and I were watching TV and learned about the hair library for cancer patients. But I thought he just glanced at it and forgot about it, until he expressed his intention to donate his hair. I was surprised that Minh still remembered. I feel proud that at such a young age, he already knows how to love and care for others."

So that very day, Minh happily gave away 35cm of her hair. Seeing herself in the mirror looking different than usual, she was so excited that she immediately wrote a handwritten letter, attached it to the hair, carefully packaged it, and sent it to the program.

“I will stay healthy and grow my hair long so that I can donate more hair to cancer patients. I hope that when my friends, sisters, and aunts receive the hair they receive, they will have more joy and no longer feel self-conscious,” Minh confided.

Some regulations when donating hair to cancer patients:

- Before getting a haircut, you should wash and dry your hair. For layered hair, you should divide and tie it into sections according to the length before cutting.

- Some suitable hair types: Natural hair with a length of 25 cm or more; chemically treated hair (permed, dyed, straightened, etc.) with a length of 35 cm or more; for curly hair, no need to straighten, just use your hands to pull it straight to measure the standard length; hair that has been cut and kept for no more than 2 years from the date of cutting can be donated but must be tied into a bundle and meet the above conditions; it is recommended to donate gray hair, salt and pepper hair to suit elderly patients.

- Hair is sent by post to the address: Vietnam Breast Cancer Network (BCNV) Office, 122/11 Pho Quang, Ward 9, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City.

DUONG LINH

Source