People donate hair to help kids combat chemotherapy

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Recently, a number of specially designed wigs were donated by hundreds of people and sent to several pediatric patients in Jilin Province, NE of China.

The specially designed wigs were donated and sent to bring joy and courage to these kids. /Photo via CCTV news

Now before leaving the hospital, these children can finally have a cute hairstyle, like many other kids.

In the Norman Bethune Department of Medicine Teaching Hospital of Jilin University, a group of kids, the youngest being only 2-year-old, have been fighting against different types of tumors and suffering from the sadness of losing their hair during chemotherapy.

Meiqi, who is 5 and is part of this group of children is suffering from Wilms tumor, a type of cancer that starts in the kidney.

Three days after starting chemotherapy she began losing her hair. Meiqi's mother brought her to the hair salon and shaved off all her hair, which made her very unhappy.

After 9 months of chemotherapy, she is finally permitted to leave the hospital. However, she still has another wish—to grow her hair back.

Duoduo, another 2 years old patient at the pediatric department in the Norman Bethune Department of Medicine Teaching Hospital of Jilin University, has also been having chemotherapy for over half a year. Everyday, Duoduo's mother has been collecting her daughter's fallen hair carefully.

"My daughter is too young to understand this emotional pain," her mother said.

Duduo has been having chemotherapy treatment for over half a year. /Photo via CCTV news

In June, Meiqi called into a radio show on the Jilin Traffic Radio station "Hao Ren Bang" with the help of her mother. The radio station is well known for helping people make their dreams come true.

"I want my long hair back," the five-year-old girl said, "When I opened my eyes after my hair was shaved off, I felt so bad."

After her hair was shaved off, Meiqi refused to go back to her kindergarten and wore her hat everywhere, her mother said.

With efforts from local media in Jilin and non-profit organizations, more than 100 volunteers donated their locks to help children at Norman Bethune Department of Medicine Teaching Hospital regain their confidence. Within one week, over hundreds of hair salons joined the campaign and helped the donors cut their hair for free.

Normally, cancer and tumor patients need better quality and customized wigs, made from human hair. However, a better-quality wig usually goes for around 2,000 to 4,000 yuan (approximately 300-550 USD), which is far too expensive for patients, who have spent most of their family savings on their children's treatment.

With the wig, Meiqi has regained her confidence and has become more courageous in her fight against the tumor, her mother said.

Xie Yanchao, traveled a long distance to donate her hair to the salons as four years ago, her little son also had chemotherapy.

Travelling to the salon from faraway places, Xie Yanchao donated her hair since having ther same feelings as other parents. /Photo via CCTV news

"I know how these parents feel," said Xie, "I don't want the public to resent these kids or think unpleasantly of them because of their hair."

Nowadays, the survival rate of pediatric patients suffering from different types of tumors has reached around 75% in China and chemotherapy is still one of the most common cancer treatments in China. After starting the treatment, many patients lose their hair and eventually they choose to shave their heads completely.