APRIL, 2018 | The HEALTH issue cancer 15
Aspiring producer does his bit to help Locks of Hope Association make human hair pieces
In the 2011 annual report issued by the Ministry of Health, it was revealed that 15.7 per cent of men and 10.4 per cent of women suffered from colorectal cancer which is the second most common cancer among Malaysians. It was also found that after the age of 60, the incidence rate in men exceeded that of women.
APRIL, 2018 | The HEALTH issue cancer 15
Jared Lee with his wife Marianne Tan at his studio. by AMIRUL AZREEN ZULKIFLI aazreen @ revonmedia. com
Jared Lee donates hair for cancer patients
Aspiring producer does his bit to help Locks of Hope Association make human hair pieces
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MERICAN naturalist, John Burroughs once said, the smallest deeds is better than the greatest intention. Perhaps that is one of the many reasons Malaysia Youtuber Jared Lee of GrimFilm decided to donate his hair as a gesture of providing hope for cancer patients.
Like everybody else who adores their long hair, Jared, 33, has kept his for almost a decade but to mark GrimFilm sixth year anniversary, he chose to celebrate it by cutting his beloved hair.
However, it was not just about cutting his hair thus venturing into 2018 with a new look, instead he sees it as the valuable moment to lend a hand in helping those copping with cancer.
Believe it or not, hair loss due to chemotherapy is one of the most distressing side effects of chemo treatments.
Understanding the pressure suffered by cancer patients, Jared through his own experience witnessing his two family members- who passed away due to cancer- decided it is best to donate his hair for a good cause.
After doing some research online,
Jared came across Locks of Hope an association that collects hair before turning them into wigs.
“ I know wigs are not cheap so I thought if I could help them in saving a couple of bucks why wouldn’ t I?
“ My grandmother managed to live her life to the fullest until she passed away due to oral cancer while my nephew was only six years old when he died,” he said.
Nonetheless, the former guitarist for‘ Once Upon A Time There Was a Sausage Named Bob’- stressed that his decision to donate his hair was based on his personal accord.
“ It was not really out of my personal experience losing my family members. I grew up with a mother who always reminded me the importance of caring for others.
“ She was not surprised when I told her my decisions to cut my hair after nine years, instead I was caught off-guard when I found out that she had been collecting her customers hair at her saloon all this while,” he added.
“ To me it was not just about donating my hair. It is about helping cancer patients from having to spend an additional RM800 and above just to acquire a wig. Which is expensive.”
Meanwhile, aspiring actress and Jared’ s wife, Marianne Tan, felt proud when she was told of his husband intention.
“ I felt proud that he decided to do it that way. We were excited but when we know that this was a part of a donation
In the 2011 annual report issued by the Ministry of Health, it was revealed that 15.7 per cent of men and 10.4 per cent of women suffered from colorectal cancer which is the second most common cancer among Malaysians. It was also found that after the age of 60, the incidence rate in men exceeded that of women.
– Deputy Minister of Health Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Haji Yahaya
I felt really proud cos somehow it is a bonus. This is going to help somebody in some way.”
The actress who was famous for her character in Ola Bola, admitted she is willing to make the same decision her husband did in her future endeavour.
“ Of course I would do it but at the same time I also expect that the result of the donation will create something amazing,” she said.
Walking high with humanhair pieces
Ang Ping Hean carrying two human-hair pieces at the centre.
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LOCKS of Hope association, first of its kind in Southeast Asia and in Malaysia provides free humanhair pieces to cancer patients who are financially disabled.
When it initially took off as a project in April 2014, it provided 140 hair pieces to the National Cancer Society Malaysia through a memorandum of understanding which lasted for two years. Later, in December the same year, it registered itself as an association.
The initiative is spearheaded by its vice president Ang Ping Hean, a 29 year old who had suffered the loss of his father from lymphoma cancer along with its president, Kong Chee Mun who had experienced similar grief due to the loss of his grandmother after a battle with lung cancer.
Eager to assist cancer patients in a different way compared to other societies, they both took on Locks of Hope full time. After locating a wigmaker who could clean the human-hair in Taiwan
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and another in China where the cleaned hair is hand-tied and made into a wig, the association was off and running.
Ang pointed out that for females especially, not having hair is a big deal.
“ Stepping out of the house seems impossible to them. Some brave up by using a bandana, but this doesn’ t evade them from the public’ s eye, especially when they are looking all pale.”
“ These hair pieces, to a certain degree— elevates their self-confidence— that they are able to blend in the society. They look normal even without make-up.”“ But, it’ s not as easy to convince them into wearing one. At the beginning, patients would be anxious as they aren’ t sure how the hair pieces would look like on them. As in many cases, they feel awkward as it is not their own hair.
However, their apprehension changes upon wearing one and finding that they look normal in one. That’ s
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when they are more appreciative of what we do.”
Since the beginning, the association has received a great deal of support by individuals throughout the country as well as from France, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Dubai, U. S. A., Philippines and Indonesia.
The number of hairpieces provided has also increased significantly since its inception.
“ In 2015, we were only able to donate 50 wigs which was directly given to patients. Then in 2016 it increased to 90 wigs and another 90 which was donated to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association. Of late, we had donated another 40,” Ang explained.
In addition, the association extends financial assistance to patients from general or semi-government hospital for operations and surgery. Funds are raised through the organising of events for corporate companies such as charity runs which is used to cover the cost of rental for the premise as well as to cover shipment cost of the human-hair to Taiwan and China.
Locks of Hope Association is currently working towards its goal of helping more recipients who are financially disadvantaged while providing more hair pieces.
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