People donated hair at the festival. — Photo courtesy of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion

Getting a haircut is something most people take for granted, but spare a thought for those who would love to have beautiful, long hair.

Many children with cancer lose their hair during chemotherapy, but really they lose much more… their dignity and confidence.

That’s why a festival was held recently where hair stylists were on hand to cut the hair of people wishing to donate it.

The hair will be used to make wigs for children with cancer.

Dream Hair Station took place on Sunday morning at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT).

Nguyễn Thị Khánh Chi, from Bắc Ninh Province, brought her daughter Nguyễn Khánh Ngọc, 13, to the festival to donate her hair.

Ngọc used to suffer from acute leukaemia, or often called blood cancer, and had to undergo chemotherapy.

Ngọc was hospitalised in 2012 when she was 18 months old, and was treated until 2014. She lost all her hair.

She relapsed two years later and continued treatment until 2019. Now she is cancer free and able to grow her hair again so has decided to get it cut to help others.

Ngọc and her mother hoped this would be a meaningful gift to help other cancer children overcome illness and nurture their dreams in life.

Chi said: "We followed the hair donation event on social networks, so not only my daughter but also my family wanted to give this meaningful gift to children with cancer, in the hope that they will grow up healthily.

“We hope that Ngọc coming here to donate her hair will also inspire those undergoing treatment to have the motivation to fight the disease. And their parents will also have more hope and will not be panic but be ready to help their children to overcome cancer.”

Chi believes that Việt Nam’s health sector has developed strongly and in the future, children with cancer will receive better care and treatment.

Vũ Thị Thái Hà and her daughter Bạch Vũ Cẩm Linh, 13, from Hà Nội, also came to donate.

Hà regularly donates blood at the NIHBT and after learning about the hair donations she encouraged her daughter to do it as well.

“I told my daughter Linh that her hair is long and beautiful and it can help children with cancer and she immediately agreed,” said Hà.

Hà said that the programme was extremely meaningful.

“As a mother, when I see young children with cancer being treated, and babies waiting for heart surgery, I’m truly heart-broken. I hope that I can contribute a small part to help their families ease some of their difficulties so that the children can return to a normal life," said Hà.

Young cancer patients join a music performance at the festival. — Photo courtesy of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion

The Dream Hair Station programme started in 2022.

To date, it has received more than 3,000 donations and given more than 150 hair sets to children treated at the NIHBT and the Việt Nam National Children's Hospital.

This really boosts their confidence and helps children feel better when they go to school and play with their friends.

Diệu Thảo, a 13-year-old cancer patient from Văn Giang District, Hưng Yên Province, received a new hair set on her birthday - the same day as the festival.

She said: "I am very touched and hope to get well soon so I can come back home with my parents and go to school again."

Thảo was hospitalised a month ago, and after 10 days of chemotherapy, her hair began to fall out.

Thảo's mother was also extremely moved seeing her daughter’s smile when receiving the new hair.

"The new hair is very beautiful and suitable for her,” she said.

“I send my most sincere thanks to the benefactors and the programme organiser and everyone who donated hair to the cancer patients. I also donated today.”

Thảo’s younger sister, who is a fourth grader, also made a donation.

Hoàng Thị Diệu Thuần, founder of the network for children with cancer, said the idea came after she listened to the wishes and feelings of children at the NIHBT.

They confided that when they went to school after treatment, they were very self-conscious and uncomfortable.

“I am very happy to receive attention and support from many people, not only in Hà Nội, but from many provinces and cities, who sent their hair to the programme," Thuần said.

“The moment when I give the hair sets to the children is a most emotional moment I will never forget. I remember the children’s bright smiles when they put on the new hair.

“Witnessing those smiles, parents, doctors and hair donors, all of them shed tears of emotion.

“I hope to maintain the programme for a long time, because this is a source of spiritual encouragement for the children,” she said. — VNS