When Holly was first prescribed the adjunct treatment of Xeloda & Oxciliplatin, we were told that her hair would probably thin a bit, but it wouldn’t fall out. I think that our definition of ‘a bit’ and the doctors definition are two different things.
While I still think that she looks great, Holly has reached a level of frustration with the thinning. I don’t see it, but she is complaining that large chunks are coming out when she brushes. More than anything, though, she doesn’t want to let it go too long. In her words, she’d rather rip the band-aid off quickly. She has made the decision to shave her head. It is a way for her to be in control of her cancer and it is a chance to help other people. Her amazing hair will be going to Locks of Love, an organization that uses human hair to make wigs for kids with cancer and other diseases.
We recognize that for a lot of women going through cancer, the decision (or lack of decision depending on how forced it is) to shave their head can not be an easy one. Since day one, we’ve wanted to share our cancer experience in hopes that it will change lives either by education or empathy. This experience will be no different.
While the decision to shave is not 100% final yet, it is looking like that will be the plan shortly after her next treatment (1 weeks from tomorrow). I am planning on documenting the process and posting it on this and other sites (youtube, vimeo, Yahoo video, etc.). We’d love to do some unique things around this in raising both awareness and money for colo-rectal cancers.
We’ve thought about selling sponsorships or selling her hair by the inch in a banner ad, but we are really looking for some unique ideas that would help to encourage people to think about this horrible disease.
What are your thoughts?
It would be really, really great if everyone was encouraged to make an appointment to be screened for Colon Cancer. As you know, having a Colonoscopy is no big thing. It is painless and can save lives.
There has to be a creative link to be utilized between Holly’s hair shaving and getting people to take the leap and get screened for Colon Cancer. Let’s face it; people aren’t running out and getting screened as they should. We need more “colon talk.” We need more action.
Some sort of *dare to be screened* campaign is needed. Much like, “Just Do It”…”Live Strong”…
Ideas??
I was going to shave my head just for the fun of it until Britney did her wacky head shave. I think it is an up and coming “thing” for many ladies to do….a sign of strength if you ask me. Hair does not make a woman, heart makes a woman. Too many people are hung up on their hair. Its just HAIR, PEOPLE!!!
My idea is this, I am a hair stylist and do my work out of my home but I am sure their are many, many, big salons in Cali. Find an organization you would like to have the money donated to and approach these salons with this request: For every hair product sold in there salon, one dollar will go to fighting cancer. Place a before and after picture of Holly, pre head shave - after head shave and have something unique written on it to let people know when they wash or brush their hair, their will be one woman, fighting cancer, that doesn’t need all the messy hair stuff. Maybe the slogan should read “Hair today, Gone tomorrow”.
And Scott, I would suggest you shave your head as well, it’s about time, if ya know what I mean.
Ok, I thought of the full slogan…
“Hair today, Gone tomorrow. Cancer does’t just take hair, it takes lives.”
What a fantastic idea! You know, donating your hair to Locks of Love when going through chemo just makes so much sense yet I’ve never heard of anyone doing that before. You guys just go up and up on my “Worship Them” scale. ;)
Great ideas. I’m sure you will find the right thing to do.
Hey Scott, I bet there are more than a couple of us who would shave our heads for a good cause. Perhaps we could raise money & awareness? Why don’t we see if we can get corp involved? - Seana
Scott,
For the short term, I agree with Heather. You should shave your head in support of Holly. While my oncologist told me I wouldn’t lose my hair from chemo and radiation, it did thin a lot and I shaved my head as well. It is a kind of right of passage. In the long term I would ask that you consider letting me use some of your video for my documentary and possibly I could interview you and Holly early next year for the film as well. Also a message I would like to leave with you. An epiphany I had for Holly and you to hang on to: Cancer pushes us all to reach our internal core limits, then just a little more to show we could take even more, and in doing so, expands the universe inside of ourselves… and so we just never give up even when there is chaos.”
Keep in touch.
Best,
Tim Nelson
Film maker “Up Yours”