Mangaluru: AJ Hospital and Research Centre in association with Sarga Kshethra Culture and Charitable Centre on Wednesday launched a hair donation campaign for the cause of cancer patients. The hair collected through the campaign titled ‘Hair to help her!!!’ will be woven into wigs to help women cancer survivors regain the lost looks and also their morale.

Addressing the gathering, Hospital medical director Dr Prashanth K Marla said, “The wigs will be provided for free to patients belonging to economically weaker sections, being treated at the hospital.”

Consultant Radiation Oncologist Dr Kamalaksha Shenoy said, “Apart from medicines, such novel method like wigs will help do justice to women who lose hair due to chemotherapy sessions. It will not just improve their confidence, but also help them lead their further life without even letting know others that they are suffering from cancer.”

Consultant Medical Oncologist Dr Rachan Shetty said, “As hair is the identity for Indian women, they remain recluses in the case of otherwise, sans hair. Counselling sessions and wigs are the other solutions in treating them.” Chaitanya, a teenager and cancer survivor, in brief but impressive words tried to dispel the myth that ‘every cancer patient loses his or hair’.

The hair from the donors should be at least 15 inches in length and should be washed and cleansed (shampoo or condition hair, without any styling, hair spray, or additional hair products). Dandruff, damaged and chemically treated hair will not be accepted. It should be tied in rubber band or pony tail holder on both the ends and cut just above the rubber band or pony tail holder on top.

The pony tail should be in elastic band and sent in a ziplock bag. At least 6-7 women’s hair is required to make one wig. The donated hair received is sorted according to their quality and then used to make a wig.