The artistes of Vanitha Sangham, Thripunithura, donated their hair at a hair donation camp organised by the Sangham to show support for cancer patients.
In a culture where long strands of hair symbolise health and beauty, a group of artistes from Kochi have given yet another meaning to those long dark locks, and that is of empathy.
Last Sunday, friends and families of the artistes of Vanitha Sangham, Thripunithura, came together to show their support to cancer patients; a total of 46 people donated their hair at a camp organised by the Sangham.
Picture for representation only. Source: www.hairbank.in
Hair is an important element of one’s personality and its loss often affects patients who shed their locks due to cancer treatment. Wigs help them overcome the stigma and psychological trauma associated with hair loss.
Ten-year-old Purnima who donated 10 inches of her hair was the youngest donor at the camp, while 76-year old Radhika Menon was the oldest woman to donate hair at the camp. Another contributor was 24-year-old Archana Venugopal, who has cerebral palsy.
According to a report in The Hindu, the camp was held in association with a Thrissur-based hair bank that collects hair for making free wigs for cancer patients through the Miracle Charitable Association. The camp was conducted at the residence of the president of the Sangham, Pramila Vijayan.
Abi P.M. of Miracle Hair Bank was quoted as saying that very little hair comes their way through donations. Mostly, hair for making the wigs is collected from beauty parlours and the wigs are made in Chennai.
Want to donate some hair?
Anyone can conduct a hair donation camp as long as they can promise at least 30 participants who would donate a length of at least seven inches of their hair. You can find more information on www.hairbank.in.
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