One call that changed two lives

Our society lays a lot of importance on having luscious hair. ‘Bala’ and few other movies have highlighted the issue and taboo regarding the loss of hair or a complete loss of hair. We have placed so much importance on our hair that we call it the ornament of our body. Our pride, confidence, self-esteem relies on it.

There are many illnesses, diseases, side effects of medicines which thins our hair or causes extreme hair fall and times total hair loss. Cancer patients have to undergo chemotherapy which causes hair loss. These patients who are already struggling with a battle inside the body, deal with stress and feel traumatic due to hair loss. This effect on their appearance can be a further setback to patients who are already enduring physical and emotional hardship. The patients lose their identity, lack self-esteem and have lowered morale.

Madat Charitable Trust (Mumbai) which is funded by the Tata Memorial Hospital had started a campaign ‘Cope with Cancer’. Hair donation is one of its initiative in which, people can donate their hair to the Trust to make a wig for cancer patients. Shweta Arya from Vadodara is one of the women who has donated for the noble cause.

Shweta is a young woman who received a call from a hair-stylist of Bald Beauty World. She informed that the hair-stylist would come to the donor’s home, cut the hair and then send it to the trust. Parting away with all of her hair came with no regrets for her. By donating her hair, she wanted to extend her moral support for all those who are battling cancer. She wants to raise more awareness and encourage people to do the same. The most important thing for her was to support the cause and let the patients know that ‘we are all in this together’. She concludes with an important message saying, ” You have to believe that you are beautiful, no matter what. Looks are not that important and beauty should come from within.” She believes that family and friends of receivers and donors should be more supportive and encouraging instead of judging them for their looks.

Hair grows back. A bald head isn’t permanent and there’s nothing to be worried or paranoid about the loss of this so-called beauty.