It’s that time of the year to shave, spray and donate at the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (Cansa) 20th annual Shavathon fundraising event, which takes place at various shopping centres across South Africa on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.
The shavathon is one of the highlights on the Cansa calendar, bringing families, friends and colleagues together in solidarity with cancer survivors. Losing hair is a common side effect of cancer treatment, so participants show support by donating a fee to shave or spray their hair.
“We’re truly overwhelmed to still be running our shavathon after all these years, and more so for the ongoing enthusiasm of South Africans to support it,” said Cansa CEO Elize Joubert. “The wonderful support we receive from the public, companies, clubs and schools, which take part on behalf of a loved one on a journey with cancer, or one who has been lost to cancer, makes it possible to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this fundraising event this year.”
She invited young and old to support the worthy cause. “We’re once again inviting all and asking ‘What will you do for a cancer survivor?’ and join us in showing support for a cancer survivor, patient, warrior or thriver. And, if you’ve been part of shavathon over the years, please share your stories, moments, memories and photos with us and tell us why this event is so special.”
Shaving or spraying in a variety of colours requires a donation fee of only R50 per adult and R25 for children under 12 years, and all funds raised go directly towards providing Cansa’s education and screening initiatives as well as care and support service to cancer patients and loved ones.
Stencils are available to add fun designs when spraying hair and donations of hair can be made towards making a wig for cancer patients. The colour spray is safe to use, being made of vegetable dye, and comes out when washing hair. A limited-edition certificate of honour will be given to those who make hair donations of 25 cm or longer and limited edition Cansa headwear is available for R55 per item (while stock lasts).
Workplaces, businesses, clubs, organisations and schools can host events for an entire month from Monday 27 February to Friday 31 March. “We challenge workplaces and organisations to take part in this special event and have fun with it,” Joubert added.
“Why not see which department or branch can raise the most funds with their shavathon or collect the most hair donations? Teams can compete against each other to see who raises the most online by creating an online fundraising page per team on our shavathon event page on GivenGain. Our top corporate team raising the most funds will win a prize. And if you are working from home, you can still join in by paying a ‘Bail Out Fee’ online.”
Cansa also welcomes participants to open an online fundraising page before participating in a shavathon event and to invite their contacts to support the action they will take on behalf of cancer survivors on the day, whether they shave or spray, by making an online donation to the participant’s fundraising page.
Participants can then share their online fundraising efforts on their social media platforms using the hashtag #CANSAShavathon in the weeks leading up to their participation and top fundraisers stand a chance to win awesome prizes. The online “Bail Out Fee” is also applicable for anyone who wants to be involved but cannot make it to a venue on the day.
To find out all about shavathon or find a venue, visit www.cansa.org.za.
