Following on the footsteps of the students of the University of Belize (UB) who shaved their heads for the “Baldmiration” Cancer Awareness Campaign, members of the San Pedro Cancer Society have done the same here in San Pedro to kick off activities for upcoming Cancer Awareness Month in April.
Founding members of the San Pedro Cancer Society got together at Mar De Colores beauty salon on Friday, March 23, 2012, to shave off their hair in show of support for cancer patients and create awareness for their campaign during Cancer Awareness Month. President Gonzalo Muñoz led his group in shaving off his hair while other dyed a streak of hair pink.
It was an emotional filled-room, filled with happiness and tears as many of the cancer society members have been affected by the disease, either directly or indirectly. Monica Prevett boldly shaved her hair off after having it streaked pink in support of her partner’s battle with cancer, as well as Dina Graniel whose mother has been afflicted with the disease.
The members of the San Pedro Cancer Society want to show how serious they are committed to their cause and want others to join them. This coming Saturday, March 31, 2012, the group is holding an awareness campaign they are calling “Hair Day” or lack there off, because they are asking resident to also shave their heads or streak a piece of their hair pink to show support for cancer patients.
The event will take place at Central Park, starting at 9a.m., which will be also a fundraiser. A small donation of $5 gets you bald or $10 gets a piece of your hair dyed. All proceeds will go towards the Society’s mission to help cancer patients and create awareness of the disease. Of course any additional monetary donations will be greatly appreciated.
Carlos Barientos of Mar de Colores, and newly elected Town Councilor, has generously donated his services, equipment and hair color dyes towards the Cancer Society’s cause. So all you need to do on Saturday, if you are bold enough, is show up with your donation, sit on the barber’s chair, and take it all off!. Be Bold, Be Strong and show your support to family and friends who have been affected by this deadly disease. Members of the San Pedro Cancer Society are counting on you.
Anonymous (not verified) –
I am not a doctor so I don't know why cancer patients must lose their hair. However, I don't believe that I must shave my head just to show them that I support them.
If people start to lose limbs to a disease, must I cut off my limbs too just to show support?
I don't think so. I think we should just give them the support they need without imitating.
If people are encouraged to imitate by shaving their hair off, how can we know who is the real patient that actucally needs help/support?
Anonymous (not verified) –
In response to the above comment. The reason people started to shave their heads bald were not to imitate however was to show solidarity. Cancer victims not only lose the hair on their heads they lose it on their entire body. Many times these patients felt like outcasts or ugly because they had lost their hair. Friends, family started to show their support by shaving their heads to show that it is just hair.
I think anything that people can do to raise awareness and funds for such a crazy and horrible diseasem is a good thing. The difference between hair and limbs is that hair will grow back.