By: Meena R. Prashant
It is alarming to note that about 26 in every 100,000 women in India suffer from breast cancer. According to Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2017 incidence of Breast Cancer is highest in Delhi (41 per 100,000 women) followed by Chennai (37.9); Bangalore (34.4), Thiruvananthapuram (33.7) and Mumbai (33.6).
Even more disturbing is the fact that it occurs at a young age in the country – a decade earlier in Indian women – average at 42 years of age in India as compared to 53 in western countries.
Vivek Kumar, an alumni of IIM Calcutta and Managing Trustee of ‘Mickey – Amogh Foundation’- a not for profit organisation, also found these statistics highly alarming. While he was still pondering over this, his sister-in-law, Alka Arora, staying in Moradabad called him up asking if he could help her friend, who was suffering from breast cancer, to get a wig. Then started an intense search for wig manufacturers in Mumbai only to realize that wigs (with natural hair) cost between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000.
“That gave me an idea of helping women suffering from cancer to at least help them morally by supporting her with a wig which can help her gain back the long associated identity,” says Vivek. He shared the idea with his wife and team who whole heartedly supported it. However, then came the biggest hurdle that most of the NGOs face: getting funds. “We wanted to create an exclusive platform where we could promote the cause so that it reaches to masses for appealing women to donate their hair,” says Vivek. However, the wig manufacturer needed to be paid for at least the material other than hair and labour. The team then decided to pledge their one month’s salary for this cause and this led to the formation of ‘Grow and Give’ an initiative of the Foundation with an aim to help women undergoing breast cancer treatment get a wig.
Become a donor
A woman undergoing cancer treatment or a survivor needs a positive approach and the acceptance that they had before the illness. “Empathizing and connecting with them, as ordinary human beings will go a long way. Not only during the illness but also during the recovery period, they need extra level of comfort and reassurance,” says Vivek.
Hair loss is a common and usually temporary side effect of cancer chemotherapy and starts 1 to 4 weeks after starting chemotherapy. The amount of hair loss can range from hair thinning to complete baldness. The patient may notice hair falling out in clumps when combing or washing it. Hair loss associated with chemotherapy can be emotionally distressing and can seriously affect self esteem and body image. “There is an important link between hair and identity, especially for women. These women not only have to deal with their own personal response to hair loss, but they have to deal with the stigma responses of others. Hair loss robs them of their privacy about their illness, since the sickness of the patient suddenly becomes obvious to others,” adds Vivek.
Those interested in donating hair have to simply register on www.growandgive.in and have to give details like name, contact number and email. They will then receive a kit which contains letter from foundation, set of rubber band, a padded envelop which is meant to courier the hair. Alternatively, in Mumbai, the Foundation sends their person to collect the hair at doorstep at the convenience of donor’s time.
Steps to follow while donating hair
| * Hair must be at least 8 inches in length when pulled back in a ponytail and measured from the bottom of the rubber band to the tips of your hair.
* Hair may be dyed with certain dyes, but must not be bleached, chemically treated or permanently dyed. Hair must also not be more than 5 percent grey. * Wash and dry your hair completely and gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. * Cut your hair at home or at your favourite salon. * Use sharp scissors for cutting hair just above the elastic hair band. Make sure the elastic hair band is tight and new (Once it’s been cut, if your hair comes loose from the elastic band used to pull your hair back, it cannot be used as a donation). * Place your hair in an airtight plastic bag with a zip-lock. Mail your hair donation to ‘Mickey – Amogh Foundation Level 17, DLH Park, S. V. Road, Near Goregaon MTNL Exchange Goregaon (W), Mumbai 400064 Ph : 022 62167077 by placing the bag containing the hair in a padded envelope. |
Impact so far
“We could roll out the campaign in Mumbai only due to lack of financial support. We could get 36 donations in October which on conversion into wigs could help 7 cancer patients in need. 3 wigs are already donated and 4 more to be donated to right patients,” says Vivek.
There is a plan to have a special van designed for raising awareness and diagnosis which can be sponsored by any corporate company willing to impact women health in India. “These vans will be stationed in a supermarket/mall complex as per the schedule and will have people and resources to diagnose and detect breast cancer,” says Mr. Kumar. There is also a plan to start counselling sessions for the patients through qualified counsellors and also spread awareness on social media by engaging oncologists, general physicians, patients, and caretakers.
“There is also a plan to organise events like marathon/ walkathon with an aim to spread awareness and bring more and more people to join the cause,” says Vivek adding that the aim is to “touch the lives of at least 100 cancer patients in next round.”
