Off With Their Hair!
RP Staff & Students Shave Heads to Raise Funds for Cancer Kids
PHOTO Saratini || Canoe IG captain James Tan, and Assistant Director from OSG Service-Learning, Sharonne Tan, getting their heads shaved to kick start the event.
The shavers were out in full force, and strands of hair dropped on to shoulders and slid to the ground. I was completely overwhelmed by the bold acts of 96 Republic Polytechnic (RP) staff and students who were willing to sacrifice their precious hair for children suffering from cancer, at the Hair for Hope event, held on Friday, 1 July 2011. Mr Ganesh Kaylanam, Director of the Office of Student and Graduate Affairs (OSG) made the first ceremonial shave on the captain of the Canoe Interest Group (IG), James Tan, a final year student from the Diploma in Civil Aviation from the School of Engineering. The female representative for the ceremonial shave was Sharonne Tan, Assistant Director from OSG Service-Learning, who was shaving for the third time!
RP held a satellite event for the Hair for Hope by the Children Cancer Foundation on the side of RP's Music Festival, IGNITE! This was the third year RP held the Hair for Hope event and the first year that RP hit a record of 96 participants (including three female volunteers).
One of the highlights of the event was the 21 students from our Canoe IG. With a solid show of determination and solidarity, they came to shave their heads as one united group. I was really proud of our boys!
I felt my hair was like my safety blanket and would feel insecure without it. Yet these volunteers boldly went through the shaving process, proudly took photos together and gallantly cheered one another. These were all done for children who suffer from cancer.
"I want people to know that shaving your hair is nothing. We are doing this for a good cause. Showing support for children struggling with cancer is very important, they are very young and they need moral support and love. Their hair loss is not a choice," Victor Lai Wei Lun, a first year student from the Diploma in Sports and Exercise Sciences from the School of Sports, Health and Leisure spoke as his eyes shone with sincerity.
As the day wore on, more and more hair was collected. Some volunteers took photos while others went to the washroom and check themselves in the mirrors. All of them left with smiles plastered on their faces all the way home.
Sharonne Tan, one of the three female volunteers, explained her decision to take part in the event, "I know many people who have either been suffering from cancer or currently live with cancer. They feel frustrated over losing their hair and embarrassed too. By showing them some solidarity, we want to tell them that it is all right, we are with you."
Robin Toha, an RP staff who had previously missed the event last year, shared his reason for taking part, "I just didn't get the chance to do it last time. I have wanted to do this for the cancer patients. I hope to achieve solidarity among our school staff and students."
Cheers and laughter rung out and joy were seen on the faces of the participants. Everyone clapped and shouted words of support for all the volunteers. It was really a captivating and heart-warming sight. I was really touched by my peers.
At one point, the Director of Corporate Partnerships of Children's Cancer Foundation, Ms Neo Lay Tin took over the microphone and graciously thanked everyone, "I just want to thank all of you who are donating your hair, your time and your efforts to spread this message for us and to make people more aware of childhood cancer. Thank you very much."
Apart from the shaving event, Stella Thng, an Academic Associate from the Centre of Culture and Communications (CCC) set up a booth to promote her book and CDs. Her book and CDs contained stories of gutsy "warriors" who had opened up to her to share their experience with cancer. According to Stella, she was inspired to write the book for her sister, Sally who passed away of colorectal cancer in 2005.
Stella explained that she wrote the book in the hope that it will comfort other cancer patients and their families especially during the painful and petrifying period. The book, "Cancer Warriors" consists of 23 amazing stories of ordinary people with their extraordinary tales of cancer combat. All proceeds from the sale ($277), from Stella's books and CDs sold at the event, were donated to CCF. To date, the total amount raised by RP has exceeded $6,000. Well done, RP!
A quote in Stella's book left an inspirational and indelible mark on me, "Sometimes, life is not about winning the battle, but how you fight it." Let's hope that more people will be aware of childhood cancer, and be more appreciative of the people and gifts in life.
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