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| The joy of giving from a little girl donating her hair |
Giving someone their own property
The hair donation movement is no longer uncommon at both ends of the country. In Hue, large-scale hair donation campaigns have only emerged in the past few years. Before that, many people would cut their hair and send it to the Vietnam Breast Cancer Network themselves. Ms. Le Thi Phuong (Phu Xuan District), who used to send her hair by post, said that in-person donation and reception would be much more convenient and reassuring. To meet the requirements for donated hair, she diligently washed it with soapberries and conditioned it with pomelo and lemon essential oils to maintain its natural beauty.
The third “Pink Hat of Hue” hair donation day in Hue attracted a large number of people of all ages, with 700 registered donors, each accompanied by friends, family, and relatives. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, a 55-year-old freelance worker, traveled a long distance from a rural district to donate her hair. Anxiously, she quickly filled out the registration form and waited for her turn. “I have been nurturing my hair, waiting for a long time. Last year it was not long enough, so the organizing committee did not accept it. This year, even though my family is engaged, I am determined to participate in the day to fulfill my wish. I am poor and have nothing to help society with; my hair is my valuable property, so I will donate it,” she confessed.
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| Teachers and students spread kind actions for cancer patients |
Many children under 10 years old participated in the program with enthusiasm and joy. There were a mother and two children from a family, or teachers and students, and siblings... Nguyen Dang Linh Giang from Quang Binh came to Hue a day early and stayed at a relative's house. Her cousin had donated hair in Hue a year ago, so this time, hearing about the hair donation day, Linh Giang begged her mother to take her to Hue to do something useful to help patients.
Ms. Tran Thi Hai Yen and her two daughters, were so excited that they did not even have time for breakfast, arrived early from Huong Tra. Ms. Yen, a garment worker, taught her children to share from a young age. Her two daughters, Ngo Nguyet Anh, 9, and Ngo Van Nghi, 6, had watched many programs about cancer patients and had long cherished the wish to donate their hair. So, when the opportunity arose, the three of them set off. Ms. Yen promised that after their haircuts, they would go out for a delicious meal together to mark the memorable day.
In a joyful family atmosphere, Ms. Dinh Khanh Ly, a healthcare worker, “escorted” her two daughters, 16 and 9, to the event. Having worked with patients, she understood and empathized, prompting her daughters to grow their hair long for this meaningful act. Her youngest daughter also came along. Ms. Ly hoped her innocent daughter would also learn to live beautifully from her sisters and mother, so that love could grow every day.
Participating in a large-scale event for the first time, Mr. Ho Van Cai, a mason from Huong Vinh Ward, Phu Xuan District, took time off work to take his daughter to donate hair. “She saw many articles online and asked her dad if she could participate. Hearing stories from a neighbor, she was excited all night waiting for today. She has always loved her hair and has never cut it. Her participation in this activity is so meaningful; I am happy that she has matured in her thinking,” he said while waiting for his daughter.
Coming in a lively group, Trinh Thi Kim Lien, a teacher from Dang Tat Secondary School, Quang Thanh Commune, Quang Dien District, brought three students from class 6/3 along with their family members to the city center. Ms. Lien had donated hair three times and spread this kind gesture to her class. Her idea aligned with her students’; Nguyen Nu Tran Quy, Le Phan Quynh Thy, and Do Thi Phuong Nga were brought by their older sisters with their teacher, while four other students cut their hair at home and sent it with others to contribute.
Spreading love
Participating consistently in the hair donation day for three years, Mr. Le Van Luong, owner of KenNi hair salon, worked tirelessly but still felt happy thanks to everyone's enthusiastic response. He recounted: “The salon sent 6 hairdressers and also connected with many other hair salons to participate, as this is also a way to contribute to the society. Our team greatly appreciates the participants' kindness, so we provide thorough consultations and create new hairstyles that suit the ladies' faces.”
Mr. Nguyen Cong Duc, head of the Ancient Capital Live Blood Bank Club, stated: “The activity aims to establish a habit of hair donation in the community, and connect and present hair libraries to cancer treatment facilities in the area. From there, it provides further motivation for patients undergoing treatment and spreads kindness and humanity to the community.
Ms. Le Hai Ninh, a representative of the Vietnam Breast Cancer Network, expressed her emotion regarding the kindness of the children, women, and mothers. She shared: “This is my first time in Hue, witnessing the collaboration of volunteers, nurses, doctors, and social organizations, etc., all working together to make the hair donation day a success, and collectively restoring the pink color of life. Through this event, the network would like to express gratitude for these community-focused actions, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against cancer”. Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyen Tran Thuc Huan, MSc., Deputy Head of the Oncology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, stated: “The hair donation day not only brings gifts, but also spreads love so that patients have more strength to fight cancer”.
Each individual's hair tells a story connected to an individual's life. Cutting long hair is a choice to sacrifice personal beauty to weave love for the community. That hair is not lost; instead, it will continue to “live” a new journey, accompanying “K warriors” (“cancer warriors”).