Where does CANSA Shavathon come from?

The first Shavathon was held in the Eastern Cape in 2003 as a way to show solidarity or support for cancer patients as losing hair is a common side effect of cancer therapy. Since then the event has gone national.  Participants show support by donating a fee to shave or colour-spray hair, with some using fun stencil designs of a star, butterfly, flower, soccer ball, lightning bolt and the word ‘warrior’.    The donation is used by CANSA to provide a service to the public and all people affected by cancer. Explore our infographic on Shavathon – History of Last 10 Years

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How often is CANSA Shavathon held?

Once a year.   Dates for 2013 are 25 Feb – 1 March (workplaces) and 2 March for public events.  This is our 10^th CANSA Shavathon event of which the last three have been independently managed by CANSA staff and volunteers.Come celebrate with us to make it the Shavathon of the decade!

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What’s new for 2013?

• One full week for corporates and workplaces.

It’s a week of spraying and shaving – a full week for corporates and workplaces to host Shavathon events from 25 Feb to Friday 1 March 2013. Register on www.shavathon.org.za to order stock.  (The public can participate on Saturday the 2^nd March at their nearest shopping centre and in some regions where there is a large demand, the Sunday 3rd March as well – please visit the website to find out where and what times).

• New Colour Hair Gels

A new and funky way to become involved with Shavathon 2013 – gel your hair with all the colours of the rainbow.

• Become an Online Champion for Shavathon 2013 and win prizes!

• Sign up your company on the Shavathon website as a Shavathon online Corporate Champion or create your own corporate internal project where individual employees or different divisions and branches can sign up as activists.  You can also create your own fundraising account and challenge employees to support your project – and match the employees’ contribution.  Challenge other corporates to see who will raise the most funds. Donors can view your organisation’s projects and latest posts and make a donation on a secure donation page.  Individuals and volunteers can also create their own fundraising page – set up your online fundraising profile; write a short overview of what your aim is and why people should sponsor your project. Invite all your friends, colleagues, employees and family to your fundraising page and ask them to give donations. Keep your fundraising project alive with updates, photos and videos while tracking your progressThere are various prizes available and will be given to the online Champions who raise the most funds. Download your online Champion or ‘Activist Info Pack’ on www.shavathon.org.za to help you get started.

• Individuals and volunteers can also create their own fundraising page – set up your online fundraising profile; write a short overview of what your aim is and why people should sponsor your project. Invite all your friends, colleagues, employees and family to your fundraising page and ask them to give donations. Keep your fundraising project alive with updates, photos and videos while tracking your progress. There are various prizes available and will be given to the online Champions who raise the most funds. Find more information re becoming an online Champion for Shavathon…

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How do the workplace Shavathons work? Can anyone attend?

Many workplaces, organisations and educational institutions decide to host their own Shavathons in order to raise awareness and funds for the cancer cause. Hosting a Shavathon is often a wonderful team-building experience and many companies adopt CANSA Shavathon as their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) project. This takes place the week (25 Feb – 1 March 2013) before the shopping centre events (2 March). Employees take part and often they invite service providers, clients and friends to also participate. The designated staff member pays the commitment fee online, orders the materials from CANSA online, hosts the event and afterwards transfers the funds to CANSA. Many companies match the funds contributed by employees to make this event an even bigger success.

How does the event work at Shopping Centres?

Members of the public arrive at their nearest shopping centre to shave, stencil, spray or gel for a donation of R50. Children under 12 donate only R25. They first register and sign an indemnity form and then pay the amount before proceeding to get shaved, sprayed, stencilled or gelled. The process can take between 15 and 60 minutes depending on how busy the event is. The event is normally open from 9:00 to 15:00 but may extend to 16:00 so try to get there early to avoid disappointment. (Some regions will also host a Shavathon on Sunday 3^rd March. Visit www.shavathon.org.za to see the list of these venues for the Sunday.)

What if I cannot shave or spray at a workplace or shopping centre 25 Feb – 2 March 2013? Is there another way I can support CANSA Shavathon?

Yes, go online and make a minimum donation of R50 by going to this link: ‘bail-out’. You may also participate in regional Shavathons that some regions hold throughout the year. You would need to contact your nearest CANSA Care Centre to find out when their next event will be held.

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Will the hair from shaved heads at Shavathon be used to make wigs?

Only long hair over 20cm is kept – the other hair is thrown away. Hair that is dyed or bleached can also be donated, however, hair clean and free of chemical treatments is preferred as this produces a higher quality of wig. Dreadlocks cannot be used. To donate hair – clean and dry hair must be put into a ponytail and then cut with scissors, keeping the ponytail intact. Hair needs to be placed immediately into a sealed plastic bag and put into an envelope to be posted to CANSA Head Office, PO Box 2121, Bedfordview, 2008 or 26 Concorde Rd, West Bedfordview, 2007 or can be delivered toyour local CANSA Care Centre.  The hair is then delivered to a wig company to make wigs for cancer survivors as well donates 10% of proceeds to CANSA for every wig sold.

We partner with Marie Claire – “Kindest Cut Campaign” – where the donated hair is turned into wigs to give to cancer survivors in need, via our CANSA Care Centres across the country.

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Are the Wahl clippers and scissors sterilised after use?

The blades do not touch the skin, however, there are sterilisation materials at all venues.

Why does CANSA Shavathon no longer do clean-shaving?

We offer a number 1 comb as the shortest shave, in order to reduce the risk of nicks or cuts.  CANSA advocates being SunSmart, so we don’t want you to go bald all the way and place yourself at risk from sun damage. We advise on always wearing a sun approved sun screen or wearing a wide brimmed hat to protect you from the sun. There is a selection of number 2-4 combs for shaving, or you can spray, stencil or gel your hair a multitude of colours if you are not willing or unable to shave your head with a number 1 comb. Why not try the new colour hair gels?

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Are the colour sprays & gels used safe / non-hazardous / will not stain?

The sprays/gels are made from vegetable dye and won’t stain and can be washed out. However, use the cape/towelling to protect clothing e.g. white t-shirts.

What colours are you offering for the colour spray and gel?

Colours this year are pink, purple, blue, green, silver, yellow, red, orange, black and white, so you can choose one or a combination of colours. Some people even shave and then spray to double their support!

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Where does the money go to?

Funds raised goes to providing the unique integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (more than R6 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from CANSA’s research is used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public.

Our wide-reaching health programme includes prevention and education campaigns, CANSA Care Centres that offer stoma and lymphoedema clinics, medical equipment hire, toll-free line and support to children and their families affected by cancer. Patient care and support in the form of 11 CANSA Care Homes for out-of-town cancer patients in the main metropolitan areas plus one hospitium (based in Polokwane) as well as two CANSA-TLC Lodges in Pretoria and Limpopo for parents/guardians of children treated for cancer.  See how we fight cancer in your community.

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R50 is too expensive. Why not make it cheaper for families?

The price has remained R50 for the last 10 CANSA Shavathon events in a row and is considered a donation. Children under 12 donate only R25.

Who are the partners for CANSA Shavathon 2013?

Our CSI media partner is SABC 2. Dedicated suppliers are all national shopping centres, Wahl Clipper, Globeflight, Academy Brushware, Aerosal and Cosmetic Works, Newsclip Media Monitoring and Limegreen Online Design Print. There are a number of other media partners that assist with free coverage or exposure on a regional basis – these are listed on the website including all participating shopping centres.

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Which social media platforms is Shavathon part of?

CANSA Shavathon is making use of most social networking sites, click the ‘like’ button on our Facebook CANSA Shavathon fan page, post your photo and share your Shavathon experience, or follow us on twitter: @shavathon. Visit www.shavathon.org.za to stay connected.  You can also upload your Shavathon video clips to YouTube.

How your donation helps us fight cancer – look what CANSA did from 1 April to 1 November 2012

• 9 157 Pap smears for early detection of cervical cancer with another 4 217 in partnership with the Department of Health (DoH)
• 10 136 Clinical Breast examinations with a further 1 151 in partnership with DoH, as well as 292 using the SureTouch device for safe breast examinations
• 5 609 Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests, a simple blood test to detect testicular cancer, along with 110 in partnership with DoH
• 317 skin cancer examinations
• Distribution of over 430 000 pamphlets and 4 400 posters about CANSA’s health awareness campaigns
• More than 2 600 patients were accommodated at our 11 CANSA Care Homes and 127 people at our CANSA TLC Lodges for children and families affected by cancer
• Specialist care to 95 Lymphoedema patients and over 7 700 stoma patients received support
• 1 850 people received medical loan equipment and over 13 400 people were helped at our CANSA Care Clinics.

CANSA is committed to connecting people facing cancer with the information, day-to-day help as well as emotional support they need in the communities where they live.  Our aim is to ensure that cancer survivors and their loved ones don’t have to face cancer alone, we’re here to support them through every step of their cancer journey.

Your support helps us to continue the fight against cancer in South Africa and brings us closer to the challenge of a cancer-free society within our generation. Let this become our legacy to our children and generations to come.

For more information see www.cansa.org.za or email info@cansa.org.za or call 0800 22 66 22.