CHEMICALS Company AECI Chempark in Chloorkop, in conjunction with its resident clinic Life Healthcare, on Wednesday last week hosted its annual CANSA Shavathon as part of its support to cancer awareness in South Africa.
This shavathon, which is in its second year this year, saw the company’s employees come through for a few hours to join in the fun day to show support to CANSA and its shavathons, which took place from February 24 to 28 at workplaces and at malls nationwide on Saturday.
“We decided as an organisation that we would like to participate in the efforts to raise awareness of cancer in South Africa as well as show our support for and solidarity to those affected by the illness,” Driekie de Bruyn, AECI Chempark clinic administrator, said.
The branch held its first shavathon in 2013 and managed to raise over R6 200.
“We were so happy with the results that we decided to make it an annual thing.”
The fun day included other stalls on display too, including a beauty products stall where people got the chance to try out the various products, a Capitec stall as well as the South African National Blood Service.
The CANSA Shavathon is an initiative started by CANSA in 2003 as a way of showing support to those affected by cancer; and people shaving their heads is a symbol of that support and solidarity with those who are affected.
Obviously, not everyone is able to shave their heads, so for those who are unable to cut off their tresses, spray paint is available to decorate their hair in a variety of colours or a “bail-out fee” can be paid.
The funds raised at CANSA Shavathon events are all donated to the campaign and used to contribute to various areas in the fight against cancer in South Africa, including covering costs for research, cancer screenings, as well as compiling, printing and disseminating pamphlets for the purpose of educating and informing communities about cancer and promote the health awareness campaigns of CANSA.
Over and above the CANSA Shavathon initiative, AECI Chempark also supports other campaigns, including Cuppa for Cancer, as well as its own initiative, the Champions of Wellness programme, which is a group of employees who volunteer to be trained to educate and assist their colleagues in understanding, preventing and managing chronic illnesses, with HIV/Aids being the main focus.
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