Cutting locks to give hope

A hair donor (left) passing her cut hair to a volunteer at the Locks of Hope Association booth.

IN SUPPORT of cancer patients, a carnival called “Cut for Cancer” was held simultaneously at Atria Shopping Gallery, Petaling Jaya, and seven other locations in the country to raise funds for the manufacturing of wigs.

Organised by Locks of Hope Association, in collaboration with 13 members of parliament and assemblymen, the event aimed to set a new record for hair collection – donated by 20,000 people – and the gathering of 10,000 origami cranes within a day, in the Malaysia Book of Records.

Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaludin considered this year’s Chinese New Year celebration as special as it was the first to be celebrated under the new government.

“We planned to do something meaningful in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festivities, and decided to be part of this initiative to help cancer patients.

“We also hope this event will raise awareness of cancer among shoppers at Atria Shopping Gallery and encourage them to do good deeds as I believe being kind will generate good karma,” said Jamaliah during the launch of the carnival.

Placing origami cranes on the cherry blossom tree to launch the ‘Cut for Cancer’ carnival at Atria Shopping Gallery are (from left) Lee, Caroline, Billy, Siew and BCWA Malaysia member Chan Yim Mei.

The MPs and assemblymen  involved in the event included Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming; Jelutong MP RSN Rayer; Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim; Balakong assemblyman Wong Siew Ki; and Ayer Keroh assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee; among others.

Established in 2014, Locks of Hope Association serves as a platform for the public to donate their hair, which will be manufactured into wigs for cancer patients going through chemotherapy.

The association distributes wigs to Kuala Lumpur Hospital and the National Cancer Institute in Putrajaya every year.

Association president Kong Chee Mun described hair donation as a meaningful act that brings hope and smiles to cancer patients.

“Wigs are a pillar of strength for cancer patients in battling the disease.

“With wigs, they are able to regain confidence and carry on with their lives with a positive attitude.

“Despite the large amount of hair collected, we received little in terms of monetary donations to manufacture the wigs,” said Kong, adding that making a wig overseas costs at least RM800.

Also present at the launch were Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaludin’s special assistant Billy Wong, OSK Property Bhd Property Investment chief executive officer Caroline Wong, Atria Shopping Gallery Retail Management director Lee Beng Beng and Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) Malaysia treasurer Siew Mei Quin.

Cash coupons of RM2, RM5 and RM10 were on sale during the carnival whereby customers could spend them at any of the 13 participating outlets of the mall that day.

All proceeds from the sale of coupons will go towards BCWA Malaysia.

For details, visit www.locksofhope.org or e-mail [e-mail].