A nation’s crowning glory: Emiratis cut their hair for cancer patients
Charitable Emiratis are going to greater lengths to help those in need by offering their hair to cancer fighters.
While supporting others with cash donations has always been a key part of the UAE way of life, more people are happy to lop off their hair to help cancer patients who have lost theirs after bouts of chemotherapy.
It is a more personal form of giving that is becoming increasingly popular in the country, a cancer charity manager says.
Donations are used to make wigs for cancer patients, offering a boost to self-esteem for many during a dark period of their lives.
Amal Al Mazmi, a manager at the Friends of Cancer Patients charity in Sharjah, has noticed a change in attitudes.
The charity launched its Locks of Hope drive in 2014, and it has received great support from Emiratis.
“We have had Emiratis and Arabs come to donate before but mostly in form of money,” Ms Al Mazmi said. “Now their tendency to give away hair is increasingly remarkable.
“Our continuous awareness campaigns are fruitful and have helped to spread the word among all nationalities in the country about the importance of all forms of donations, including hair, because it provides moral support to patients.”
Ms Al Mazmi said as many as 40 people donate their hair every month.
“Last month, there were 19 Arabs among the donors, seven of them were Emiratis,” she said.
Mothers are leading the way and passing on the spirit of generosity to their children.
“They have been coming with their daughters to give away their hair,” Ms Al Mazmi said. “I have seen how families are reaching out to their children to participate.
“Most importantly, they explain to them what happens to their hair and where it is going. The children are excited and determined to participate.”
She said two children, aged just four and five, were excited to give away their hair after their parents explained how they would be bringing happiness to others.
But it is not only women contributing to the charity. In June, The National told how two Dubai brothers donated their hair in solidarity with a school friend whose mother was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.