By Sultan Jessa – May 3, 2011 – Two Ismaili medical students from Montreal decided to go bald to raise awareness about dreaded cancer.
At the same time, Zahra Ramji, a fourth year student in undergrad at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and Shazeen Suleman, a third year student at UBC, raised more than $7,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“Our initial goal was $5000,” said Zahra. “Some money is still trickling in.”
She said Shazeen had previously donated her hair and she had been contemplating to shave her head for a year.
“I had been curious about the experience of being bald and wanted to do it in solidarity with those who lose their hair without a choice, due to cancer treatment.”
The two close friends embarked on their adventure together and chose to dedicate their efforts in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
The duo is close with a “brave little boy” who has been battling cancer for some time.
The Children Wish Foundation is a charitable organization seeking to fulfil the wishes of children living with life-threatening cancer.
Whether it be a trip to Disney World or having breakfast at Tiffany’s, the wishes it grants provides a chance for the cancer patients and their family members to have fun and enjoy life without the shadow of their illness.
By bringing joy to the children in what could be their last days, the foundation supports and brings hope to families.
The two friends were joined in their quest to shave their heads by Ayisha Remtulla, a young professional occupational therapist who raised $2,000 for the Pink and Green organization which seeks to raise awareness about breast care and cancer prevention.
Zahra and Shazeen said so many people area affected by long-term illnesses, cancer in particular, and so much remains to be done to find a cure for the dreaded disease.
Zahra and Shazeen had their hair chopped off by the owners of Sutro Salon in Vancouver.
Both Zahra and Shazeen’s long hair was sent to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths in order to make wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer and other diseases.
Initially Zahra did not end up completely bald. Hair stylists told her leaving a tiny bit of hair on the scalp was okay.
But, she could not sleep and knowing that she had not fulfilled what she had set out to do.
She decided to go back and got her scalp completely shaved.
Requiring a minimum of eight inches per ponytail, the organization uses between three and five ponytails of healthy hair per wig, and is always seeking donors.
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