How a hair cut could make wigs affordable for cancer sufferers
Losing their hair can be the most traumatic phase of the recovery process for female cancer patients.
But that trauma, caused by aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments that target rapidly dividing cells, healthy and cancerous, is being made easier by people donating their hair to charity for affordable wigs.
In May 2016, Jordanian radio presenter Hana Abu Lughod was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32. She had eight cycles of chemotherapy and four immunotherapy treatments, and like many cancer patients shaved her head before her hair began to fall out.
“After my first chemo, my hair started to fall out so I cut it short,” Ms Abu Lughod said. “It then started to fall out when I was in bed, so decided to shave it off. It didn’t feel weird, as I knew it was part of the process.
“Hair is very important for women but shaving mine off actually made me feel stronger. I was proud I could go outside like this. I began wearing a wig fairly soon after. It was easy and at least I didn’t have to blow dry my hair anymore.
“I could have fun with my new hairstyle. It gave me more confidence and it was good to feel normal again. Some days you just want to look your best.”
Wigs can cost up to Dh3,000 but Ms Abu Lughod was offered a discount voucher from City Hospital, where she was having treatment. She paid Dh1,000 for her new hair.
“Paying for a wig is an expense cancer patients can do without, particularly if they don’t have full health insurance and have stopped working because of their health,” she said.
The Cancer Patient Care Society, or Rahma, in Abu Dhabi is one of the charities appealing for more people to offer their hair so those who have lost theirs can begin to feel normal again.
Nora Al Suwaidi, Rahma’s director general, is planning to expand the hair donor programme to meet the rise in demand.
“Donors pass on their hair to us. We then send it to our partner companies who turn it into wigs,” Ms Al Suwaidi said.
“It is particularly important for teenage girls who have lost their hair to recover their self-esteem. Older women are usually OK wearing headscarves, but younger women who are into fashion or blogging want to have their long hair.”
Before donation, hair needs to be washed, dried and put in a ponytail or braided. Ideally, the length should be at least 15 inches and it must be put in a plastic bag.
Rotchel Bisnar, 33, a Filipina who works for a car rental firm, is one of those who is planning to be a hair donor.
“I read on the internet about the need for donors to help make wigs, so I want to help and donate my own hair, which is quite long and thick,” Ms Bisnar said.
“It came to mind that it was something I could do to make life a little bit easier for people with cancer who have lost their hair. The last time I had my hair cut properly was in July, so it is getting long.”
Another wishing to donate her hair is Alina Ahmed, 11, a pupil at St Mary’s Catholic School, Dubai. Her father, Imran, a safety officer from India, is a regular blood donor and said Alina was following in the family footsteps of supporting good causes.
“My wife and I are regular donors at blood banks and Alina was interested in donating blood,” Mr Ahmed said. “I said this was not possible as she was too young.
“I read an article about how a young girl had donated her hair and suggested this would be a good way for her to help others.”
Alina, who has long hair hanging about 30 centimetres down her back, is willing to cut it by half.
“My mother has had cancer so it is a cause that is close to us,” her father said.
Paying for a wig is an expense cancer patients can do without, particularly if they don’t have full insurance HANA ABU LUGHOD Cancer sufferer