A cut above the rest

27 women donate hair for cancer patients at a voluntary donation camp

Women donating hair at the voluntary hair donation camp held at the Government Polytechnic College for Women in the city.

Cisil Pushpa (38), a native of Anthiyur in Erode, and her sister D. Kavitha (32), who resides in Karumathampatti, have never been to a salon. But they had their first bob cut done for a noble cause recently. That too not from a salon, but at the Government Polytechnic College for Women, Coimbatore, where Ms. Pushpa’s daughter V.C. Ananya is doing first year diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

The trio was among the 27 persons – students, faculty, parents and relatives – who donated their hair for cancer patients at a voluntary donation camp organised by Vruksha, a social service initiative of PSG Institute of Management (PSGIM).

“We came to know about the hair donation from Ananya. Our husbands were happy about our decision,” said Ms. Pushpa and Ms. Kavitha after the donation.

Ms. Ananya added that she was overwhelmed by the support extended by her mother and aunt when she conveyed her wish to donate hair.

M. Surekha, a lecturer with the Department of Modern Office Practice, said that she took an instant decision to donate hair as she came to witness the event. “I spoke to parents as I came to the hall where donation was arranged. They readily agreed,” she said.

“My husband and father like to see me with long hair. But they were happy about my decision as it is for a noble cause. After all it is going to grow,” said T. Suganya, a lecturer with the Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering. She added that the faculty coming forward for donation motivated students.

The hair collected through voluntary donation will be sent to Cope with Cancer, a Mumbai-based NGO involved in support activities for cancer patients.

“The hair will be used for making wigs for cancer patients who loose hair after chemotherapy sessions,” said P. Sivasankari, a first year student of PSGIM, who along with M. Deexeta, S. Rithiesh, R. Muthukumaran and D. Venkat organised the voluntary donation camp. Inspire Hair Styling Studio supported the camp by collecting the hair with its stylists.

Suganthi Rani, Head of the Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering, said that around 15 persons had initially volunteered to donate hair, which later increased to 27.

Mr. Muthukumaran said that Vruksha volunteers had held an awareness session at the college a few days ahead of the camp.

In an earlier camp, Vruksha had collected hair from 20 volunteers. For organising hair donation camps, Vruksha can be reached at 80567 56699.