Hair donation drive is a growing concern
Print Edition
LOCAL medical staff and their relatives are donating their hair to make wigs for children with leukemia who have become bald during chemotherapy.
A long-term program and special fund have been established at a hospital to organize regular hair donations and help cover the cost of making the wigs.
The first group of five medical staff and the daughter of an oncologist from Shanghai Children’s Medical Center donated their hair at the facility yesterday.
Unlike ordinary wigs, wigs for cancer patients are made of special materials to prevent allergic reactions and infection, doctors said.
“Almost all children with leukemia suffer hair loss, which affects them psychologically,” said Ji Qingying, vice president of the hospital.
“We want this charity program to give them confidence. Also, we hope more people will donate hair and give cash donations to help cover the cost of the wigs.”
A 5-year-old girl surnamed Cheng, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year and is receiving chemotherapy at the hospital, said she was really looking forward to getting a wig.
“I had long hair before and I miss it,” she said.
Zhu Tianyi, the 11-year-old daughter of a SCMS hematological oncologist, donated her hair yesterday. She said she decided to make the donation soon after her mother told her about the program.
“It is a very meaningful program and I will promote the program at my school to get more students to donate,” she said.
The campaign was first launched by local middle school student Zhu Yuetong, who was inspired by the story of an American boy who donated his hair.
Last year, 8-year-old Christian McPhilamy in the US state of Florida grew his hair long and donated it to children with cancer. His mother told reporters he saw a commercial about child cancer patients at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and decided to help.
Despite being bullied because of his appearance, he achieved his goal of growing and donating four long ponytails to the Children With Hair Loss foundation.
Believing the same idea would take off in her country, 12-year-old Zhu launched the Angel Wig campaign.
The program at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center was established right after she visited the facility to promote the campaign. Hospital staff believe that showing love to cancer patients by providing them with wigs to restore their appearance could play an important role in the recovery process. People who want to donate should have hair of at least 20 centimeters in length that has not been dyed or permed.
The hotline for hair donation is 52920813-8005. Wig professionals will provide details about the process.
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