Where does CANSA Shavathon come from?

The first CANSA Shavathon was held in the Eastern Cape as a way to show solidarity or support for cancer patients as losing one’s hair is a common side effect of cancer therapy. Since then the event has gone national and included spraying as an alternative for people not willing or able to shave their heads.

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How often is CANSA Shavathon held?

The national event is an annual event.  Dates for 2012 are 1 to 4 March.  This year will be the ninth CANSA Shavathon event. CANSA is still celebrating its 80th Anniversary – we’ve been providing 81 years of service to the community and caring for cancer survivors. The first AGM was held in 1931 and CANSA was officially registered in January 1932.

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What’s new for 2012?

• Two corporate / workplaces days

It will be a weekend of spraying and shaving!  We again offering an extra corporate/workplace Shavathon day on Thursday 1 March, followed by Friday 2 March. Register on www.shavathon.org.za to order stock.  (The public can participate on Saturday 3 March at their nearest shopping centre and in regions where there is a large demand, Sunday 4 March as well.)

• Stencils for hair spraying

By popular demand to add an extra fun touch to hair colour-spraying – stencils are again available and can be purchased at R15 for a pack. The stencil designs available are a star, butterfly, flower, soccer ball, lightning bolt and the word “warrior”. Stencils are supplied in packs of six – one of each design.

• Become an Online Champion for Shavathon 2012 and win prizes!

Corporates and workplaces can 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 your 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.

Prizes will be given to the online Champion who raises the most funds, the employee of a company that raises the most funds, as well as a prize for the Champion that rallies the most support for the cause. Download your online Champion or ‘Activist Info Pack’ on www.shavathon.org.za to help you get started.

Watch this video on how to set up your own fundraising page for CANSA Shavathon 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Junx3Y47xPM

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How do the workplace Shavathons work? Can anyone attend?

Members of the public arrive at their nearest shopping centre to shave or spray for R50. Children under 12 are R25. They first register and sign an indemnity form and then pay the amount before proceeding to get shaved or sprayed. 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. This year where the demand is in some regions, includes an extra day – Sunday 4 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 on 1st – 4th March 2012, is there another way I can support CANSA Shavathon?

Yes, go online and make a minimum donation of R50 by going to www.cansa.org.za and clicking on CANSA Shavathon and then click on “Bail Out Fee”. 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 20 cm 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. For donated hair, clean and dry hair must be put into a ponytail and then cut with scissors, keeping the ponytail intact. The 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 to your local CANSA Care Centre.  The hair is then delivered to a wig company, Lace Hair that donates 10% of proceeds to CANSA for every lace wig sold. Read more about donating hair, wigs and the company Lace Hair…

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Are the Wahl clippers and scissors sterilized 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?

It was decided to offer a number 1 comb as the shortest shave, in order to reduce the risk of nicks or cuts.

There is also a selection of number 2-4 combs for shaving, or you can colour your hair a multitude of colours if you are not willing or unable to shave your head with a number 1 comb.

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

The sprays 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 offered for the coloured spray?

Colours this year are red, pink, purple, ‘blue bull blue’, green, silver, yellow, orange, black and white. 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?

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 13 CANSA Care Homes and the main metropolitan areas plus one hospitium (based in Polokwane) for out-of-town cancer patients as well as CANSA-TLC Lodging for paediatric oncology parents. CANSA’s unique and integrated service is made possible through donations and you taking part in your nearest CANSA Shavathon event in your community.  Click here to download the leaflet How funding raised through Shavathon helps fight cancer showing how we fight cancer in your community.  (Laai Afrikaanse brosjure hier af: Hoe fondse wat met Shavathon ingesamel word help om kanker te beveg.)

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

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

Why does CANSA Shavathon no longer do clean-shaving?

It was decided to offer number one as the shortest shave in order to reduce the risk of nicks or cuts (on possible invisible moles under the hair). You can have up to number four shave or colour your hair a multitude of colours if you are not willing or able to shave your head at the number one shave.

Who are the partners for CANSA Shavathon 2012?

Our CSI media partner is SABC 2. Dedicated suppliers are all national shopping centres, Wahl Clipper, Warehouse & Courier IT, Academy Brushware, Newsclip Media Monitoring and Limegreen Online Design. 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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What colours are you offering for the colour spray?

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!

Which social media platforms is Shavathon part of?

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

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CANSA BY NUMBERS… In 2011, CANSA

• Invested R6 million in cancer research.
• Supported 13 300  individual cancer patients through our 261 support groups and our 2 300 trained caregivers.
• Welcomed 1 800 individual patients to our 13 CANSA Care Lodges, where they were served 202 000 meals during their combined 101 000 night-stay.
• Visited and supported an average of 48 500 patients, undergoing cancer treatment, in oncology clinics.
• Provided specialist care to more than 5 000 stoma patients and to about 40 lymphoedema patients every month.
• Supported people affected by cancer by providing individual counselling to 23 500 people, and made medical loan equipment available to 3 300 people.
• Distributed 803 000 information and educational pamphlets and 10 700 posters in four languages during our awareness campaigns.

Conducted cancer screening:

• 12 400 Pap smears and facilitated an additional 7 460 in partnership with the DOH for cervical cancer.
• 19 600 breast examinations to detect breast lumps and facilitated an addition 4 100 in partnership with the DOH
• 7 500 PSA tests to detect prostate cancer.
• 1 500 skin examinations and 309 FotoFinder examinations to check for skin cancers.

Abnormalities were detected in approximately 4,6% of these cases.

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 – to help people through every step of their cancer journey, promoting a better quality of life to them and their loved ones.

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.

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