The overwhelming message from supporters to cancer patients at Friday’s Shavathon was to ‘stay strong’.
The daylong event, which was held in the Neelsie and on the Rooiplein, gave students the chance to make a R30 donation to The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the event collaborator. Supporters could then opt for a colourful hairspray makeover, or a haircut to contribute towards wigs for cancer patients.
Student Shamila Lotsch shows off her colourful hair after getting it sprayed for CANSA. PHOTO: Holly Charlton
The event organiser and co-vice president of the Stellenbosch chapter’s Golden Key Society, Beaurel Visser, said the event aimed to reach beyond campus involvement.
“It’s about going into the community and bringing the community to us.”
She also hoped the event would lead to greater cancer awareness amongst students.
Student Mookho Hlaahla gets her hair spray painted. Her message to cancer patients is that they are the strongest people she knows. PHOTO: Holly Charlton
“Not a lot of people are aware of how people are affected directly by cancer. For example, you get pelvic cancer, you get breast cancer, and you get skin cancer. It’s important to detect it early enough so that you can tackle it as soon as possible.”
Visser added that her personal experience with cancer made spreading awareness about the pandemic disease a priority.
“In the beginning of the year, I had a cancer scare. Because of my cancer scare [and] because of the emotions I was experiencing, I realised it was important to reach out to people and let them know that there are organisations like CANSA available that can go through the process with you.”
Beaurel Visser smiles alongside a ‘washing-line’ of colourful paper squares for students to write messages of encouragement on to cancer patients. PHOTO: Holly Charlton
Shamila Lotsch, a student who had her hair spray painted, experienced CANSA’s support firsthand when her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. “CANSA assisted with most of the cost of treatment,” said Lotsch. Her message to cancer patients was to “keep faithful.”
Six CANSA volunteers pitched in to make the Shavathon a success. Sharon Fransman, who has been volunteering for five years now, said joining the CANSA team was a decision she couldn’t resist making.
Sharon Fransman sits at the CANSA table where informative pamphlets were available and donations could be made. PHOTO: Holly Charlton
“It was not my decision. I saw an ad after being retrenched after 45 years of work and was still thinking about it by the end of the week,” said Fransman. “The highlight of being a volunteer is when you walk out a patient’s house and see they’re happy after you’ve talked to them or spend time with them.”
Ann September volunteers for the twelfth time at a Neelsie Shavathon. PHOTO: Holly Charlton
Ann September has been volunteering for CANSA for even longer than Fransman. After seeing many of her friends go through cancer treatment, September became a volunteer. Twelve years of volunteering have left her with formidable hairdressing skills. “I know how to cut hair,” said September. “If I see they’re doing it wrong, I will step in and take over.”
Student Ludovica Sallese has bright purple spray-painted into her hair to show support for cancer patients. PHOTO: Holly Charlton
September’s message to cancer patients was to “keep strong and be faithful.” – Holly Charlton.