In a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur recently, the sound of 140 hairstylists deftly snipping away with their scissors filled the air.
The hairstylists worked side-by-side to carry out 325 haircuts in an hour, earning a Guinness World Record for the “Most Haircuts by a Team in One Hour”.
The event, known as the “Cut for Love” campaign, was held to raise funds for, and awareness of, cancer. It was organised by APT Salon in partnership with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA).
Every haircut represented a contribution toward cancer awareness and early detection, with the salon pledging RM50 per haircut.
By the end of the record- breaking attempt, RM18,400 had been raised for the two cancer organisations.
For NCSM, the campaign was a vital platform to reach the public. At the event, NCSM teams were present to offer free health screening to encourage Malaysians to prioritise early detection.
"The rising number of late stage cancer diagnoses is of great concern. Early detection is crucial in improving survival rates and treatment outcomes. With timely screenings, many lives can be saved,” said NCSM managing director Dr M. Murallitharan.
NCSM has long been a cornerstone in cancer education, care and support services for people affected by cancer.
The organisation’s involvement in the “Cut for Love” campaign reflects its continuous mission to bring awareness directly to communities and help people take action before it is too late.
For BCWA, the campaign’s focus on hair donation was especially meaningful. The locks collected during the campaign will be turned into wigs for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
“As a breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand how powerful it is to feel seen and supported at a time when you feel like no one else understands what you’re going through,” said BCWA secretary Liew Swee Lee.
“Being part of this campaign is more than getting a haircut, it’s a gesture of strength and solidarity.”
Founded in 1986, BCWA has spent nearly four decades supporting newly diagnosed patients and survivors through psychosocial care, educational outreach and material assistance.
By working alongside NCSM in campaigns like “Cut for Love”, the organisation continues to amplify its message that breast health awareness can save lives and support can transform the cancer journey.
Beyond numbers, the campaign was also a celebration of resilience.
Cancer survivors from Pink Unity (NCSM’s support group) and BCWA received makeover sessions during the event.
Their transformation, captured on video and shared across social media, served as powerful reminders that confidence and self-esteem are integral to healing.
For many attendees, donating hair or getting a haircut were symbolic acts of solidarity. Each strand represented compassion, a way to tell cancer patients they are not alone.
For both NCSM and BCWA, they continue to emphasise that combating cancer requires a multi-pronged approach: medical intervention, early detection, community support and public awareness.
