Looking forward to post shave days

Andrew W's last day before the final event.

It is strange how the oddest quirks and turns in life bring people closer together. My last day at school before the big "S" was an affirming experience. So many wonderful mums telling me what their children had told them about me having my head shaved. I shall walk into school on Monday bald and know that my children will not be scared and will understand why I am like I am. If any of these children should ever come to know a child who has cancer, they will do the right thing. I can be sure of that.

A kids view on how to maintain femininity

Earlier this week my son's teacher gave her 6 and 7 year olds a brief presentation on the CCF and Shear Inspiration. She told them about what we are trying to do, and how I, as Christopher's Mummy, was one of 20 women shaving their hair off. One little boy put up his hand and asked "How are we going to know she's a girl?" Christopher replied "I think she's going to wear earrings".

Shavee Rebecca is the proud mother of Christopher.

Doing what I can for the children

Jayne tell us why she is involved...

I have a weakness for children and had been religiously browsing through the CCF site. I chanced upon Shear Inspiration and I thought it was a good opportunity to show my support for children with cancer.

To me, they didn’t choose to be born or diagnosed with cancer. The least I can do is just this gesture and hopefully get donations flowing in. I believe their parents do not have an easy time at all, having to take care of them and to manage other things in life.

I cannot imagine the pain these children have to go through, in terms of medications and chemo therapies. They certainly do not have the luxury that other children enjoy.

Each time I think about me going to shave my head, I will think again, whatever I am going to lose is only superficial. Whatever the children are going through, that is really deep inside them.

I empathise with them, and want them to get better and happier.

I know I made the right decision, I was brave enough, to say yes to Shear Inspiration. I know I’m supported by people around me. I am proud to be in this meaningful project, and am very happy to be involved.

Awareness

Rebecca tells us...

I met up with a friend, one that I see quite frequently, although we're not really good friends. We started discussing the Shear Inspiration campaign and she confided in me about her own struggle with cancer. This was something that I had no idea about. I felt really proud and honoured that she felt comfortable enough to share her illness with me. I really feel that the awareness that this campaign is bringing about is allowing people to come forward with their fight. This lets us as friends help them in their battle, by supporting them in every way we can.

Connectedness

Suzanne also shares Fiona’s experience…

I know what Fiona means. As I've told people about this event, I've heard how cancer has touched the lives of so many families. People have shared stories they probably wouldn't have otherwise and it's both very humbling and affirming.

I worried at first that people dealing with cancer might think what I was doing somehow frivolous; after all we don’t have to deal with the sickness and pain. But everyone who has a family member affected has expressed support. We have opened ourselves up to hearing not only the sadness that people face, but also the strength people show. We've discovered the connectedness that comes from sharing other people's real experiences, not just the usual pleasantries we exchange with people who are sort of peripheral to our lives.

Touched

Monica shares with us...

I have actually been having sleepless nights as it gets closer to the shaving, but after reading what other shavees and supporters have shared, I am truly humbled. I must say, that last input by Betty "shifted" me and I just had to sit back and take a moment to clear the choke in my throat.

Andrea adds...

Wonderful ladies, I'm sitting here crying –there’s no way I could clear THAT choke. Mixed emotions just want to be expressed I guess... I'm proud, scared, overwhelmed, excited, sad and absolutely joyful about this experience. And I feel blessed to be part of such an amazing group. Laughing with teary eyes makes me see rainbows.

We should ask the Bobbie Brown artists to use water proof makeup.

Thank You

A message of thanks from Sophie, mother of Petra who featured in one of our first blog entries. Petra has been undergoing treatment for her cancer.

I am so proud of you all. I am humbled that so many of you can take up this enormous challenge, and it is enormous, and smile your way through it.

Thank you for helping us and so many other families like us. Petra has been on a high since being on the front cover of The Finder, and of course has told all her family and friends. She LOVES all the Shear Inspiration leaflets and posters, and has had so much great positive attention - not the "ohhh look at that bald girl attention", but "look at that girl Mummy, she was on TV, she was in The Finder. She has cancer but she looks ok. Hello how are you..." attention. I can't begin to tell you the difference that makes to me, let alone my gorgeous girl, but the smiles and laughter tell you.

Giving back to Singapore

Annabel shares...

Another of the big reasons for doing this is that I have been here for nearly 8 years and payed so little tax. Helping raise money for CCF was a great way to put more back into Singapore.

Connecting to others

Fiona's insight...

When I first signed up for Shear Inspiration I told EVERYONE I knew and gave them all a leaflet. Something came out of this approach that had a profound effect on me. We have a man who comes to the house twice a week to do some work; we exchange hellos and chat a little, that's generally it. When I gave him a leaflet he told me he already knew about the event - his 7 year old son has Leukemia, and he told me a little about his condition and the treatment his son was having. I was quite shocked as I had no idea, but also honoured because he chose to share. I would probably never have found out if I hadn't signed up to be a shavee, and what was already special became even more so.

Raising Awareness and funds

Suzanne shares her experiences...

This week I've been doing presentations at my children's school assemblies. I was a little nervous for the first one; addressing over 300 children is a bit scary. They were wonderfully receptive though, having a few PowerPoint slides to look at definitely helped to keep their interest. Doing these presentations really clarified my own thinking.

Just as we who answered Jacky's call are "everyday women", the children who fighting cancer are everyday children who just happen to be receiving medical treatment that causes their hair to fall out. I emphasised this to the children I spoke to, encouraging them not to be afraid or avoid children with cancer. We don't have to think of these children as "victims" but can have an image of them as brave warriors fighting a good fight. The image of Shaolin monks came to my mind.

I told the children that some children who have lost their hair may wear caps, wigs or bandanas. But some may choose to leave their hair uncovered because there is nothing to be ashamed of in having treatment for cancer. Many of the children, and some adults, ask me if I will wear a wig. I answered one adult by saying "wearing a wig sort of defeats the purpose" and he replied that surely the purpose was to raise money for CCF, not for me to be bald. But for me, the purpose is also to raise awareness, in myself and others, a journey into empathy and a chance to think about the meaning of appearance, femininity and one's "presence" in the world.

Rebecca's Reasons

I've asked myself many times "Why am I giving up my lovely locks for charity?", and truthfully there is no ONE reason. It just feels right to me. I am thrilled to be part of something so much bigger then me. And to be part of something that gives back to Singapore, something that publicly acknowledges how much we love this country and want to say "thank you".

This disease knows no race, colour, age or religion...it affects us all. The CCF is here to support us when the smallest members of humanity get sick. This is something that I strongly feel is worth supporting. I've never felt so convinced that "this is the right thing to do". I don't have any regrets and I'm eagerly anticipating the 19th. Our hair is such an insignificant thing to give up for such a huge reward, if we can help the CCF and they in turn save a life…it is so amazingly worth it.

Of course, cancer has affected my family, like it has many others and I think raising awareness for people living with cancer is important, especially for children. With Shear Inspiration we are trying to let children know that our hair is not part of our "being", no matter what we look like on the outside, we are people inside. People who have feelings, like to have fun and laugh, people who are loved by their families. Hair is just icing on the cake...nice to have, but not essential.

The energy builds

Andrea W is feeling it....

As the witching hour gets closer, more people are showing their support for us girls. It seems to be coming from areas I would least expect it from. I am truly amazed, and a little scared, at how this idea has ignited. It really is down to the energy of Jacky.

Choice - some have it, others don't

Miche tells us about her reasons...

I'm shaving my head because I can. I have made a conscious choice unlike those who have cancer and do not get that privilege. For them, and to a much much lesser degree us, it is a confronting action. This is especially the case for children whose idea of themselves is so attached to how they look.

I'm honoured to have joined a multi-national group of women to achieve something worthwhile. As the Big Shear looms near I am a little apprehensive but definitely looking forward to a feeling of liberation.

Working together

I'm glad I'm shaving my head, I'm glad I'm talking about childhood cancer. As much as both of them make my stomach tighten and flip - I'm holding on to the fact that Shear Inspiration is doing a good job.

If we can help children and adults realize that a child with cancer as still being a child with the same rights to laughter, fun and playing as they have - then I'll consider my job done.

I can’t believe the things I’ve done because of Shear Inspiration – public speaking, radio interviews, asking people for donations all things that ordinarily I would have run a mile from.

But the great thing with Shear Inspiration is that it’s not about me, it’s about a collective group all helping each other to help others.

Why I'm here

Hazel (pictured to the left of Ronan) says...

This amazing group of women; my family and friends all remind me what's this is about. If ever I think of looking back, I am reminded that we're doing this because we have a choice and there are people that don't. We make a difference because we can.

Ronan's message of support

"I think it's brave what you ladies are doing, and all the best with the event. What you're doing is great." - Ronan Keating

Compassion, intention and action

Jennifer tell us about her reasons for being part of the group...

I’ve had my share of disproportionate reactions. Viewed objectively an issue is relatively inconsequential, but I've taken it as greatly important. When I give blood, it’s easy – blood is something I have, something I can replace. Similarly, my hairless-ness is only a limited setback for me. When you look at the serious challenges that children with cancer face, it feels almost embarrassing to worry about vanity.

I met Jacky some time ago, she has really tapped into the power of intention, the great force of love, compassion, and selflessness that start the upward motion of a cycle of virtue. She's ensuring 100% of the target $250,000 funds go to the Foundation.

Thoughts and beliefs are the seeds from which actions and events grow. There needs to be action taken for change to actually be realised. I could have heard the plea for 'shavees' and just thought that it was a great idea, but it took a ‘yes, I’ll do it’ for me to reach out and make a difference.

New perspectives, fears and opportunities

Marilyn says...

Shear Inspiration first came to my attention in a magazine article. After reading it I knew that I could volunteer to be a 'shavee'.

Like most people, I had never really given much thought to what it must really be like coping with someone in the family having cancer. Neither had I heard much about organizations like CCF and the difference they made to children and their families. It has been a real education.

On saying 'yes', I thought I would be just popping round to someone’s house; a quick cup of coffee, out with the clippers and that would be that.

I was in for quite a shock, it’s going to be huge. Usually a background sort of person, this is so taking me out of my comfort zone, but I am feeling thankful for the opportunity.

Taking direct action

Sharing her motivation for taking part Andrea W says...

I've always felt that direct action is the way to get things moving and this is the reason I volunteered to be one of the throng. However, the closer I get to "S" Day the more I wonder whether there could have been an alternative direct action. TOO late now...

It's all about bravery

Monica Mirpuri shares her inspiration...

On 19 May I will be one step closer to understanding how a courageous group of children felt when they had to have their heads shaved. I will be participating as a "shavee" together with the 19 other very brave women. To shave my head voluntarily was no easy decision. I thought long and hard about it. There were inane concerns, like what would strangers think when they see me on a bus or having lunch. Then, I had a moment of epiphany.

What about the children? What choice did they have? How did they feel?

It was then I truly realized how brave they must have been at the very moment they started to lose their hair. And how brave they have been ever since.

With this thought and the encouragement of my close friends and family, whom I am sincerely grateful to, I made the decision to put myself on the panel. I will have my head shaved, and will proudly show it to the world.

I feel this is my way of connecting with the children, bringing me closer to them, and them closer to me, like a family. And we are indeed one big family.