Going bald to raise funds

More than 1,000 people went bald at VivoCity on Sunday, but not because of stress. They were giving up their hair in support of the Children’s Cancer Foundation’s annual Hair for Hope campaign.

The mass head shaving event started in 2003 to raise funds and awareness of childhood cancer, as baldness was one of the most obvious side-effects of a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy.

The campaign aims to raise $750,000 this year and is already more than halfway towards reaching its target.

Guest-of-honour President S R Nathan kicked started the campaign by giving foundation chairperson Ravi Sivalingam a close shave.
Said Mr Ravi: ‘Children with cancer are very aware of how they look when they lose their hair, so it sends a powerful message when they see so many people coming here to shave themselves too.’