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#CANSAShavathon #CANSACares
#20thAnniversary #20thCANSAShavathon

Shavathon 2023 - What Will You Do for a Cancer Survivor?

We are counting down to CANSA’s 20th Shavathon, events taking place at shopping centres across the country on Saturday, 25 February 2023.

A highlight in our calendar and with all who have been affected by cancer because it is a tangible way to honour those fighting cancer and remember those we have lost to cancer, showing solidarity by shaving heads, spraying hair or donating ponytails to make wigs for cancer patients in need.

Fun Fact:

In 2003, Simon Clark, the first person to organise a Shavathon event, arranged 50 events in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The first unofficial Shavathon took place at the ‘Crazy Zebra’ in Gqeberha. Hosted by a local biker group, the initiative was started to show support for a member affected by cancer, and this is still the focus of the event today.

We hope to see you there on Saturday, 25th February. (A few shopping centres will host events on Sunday, 26th February – please consult our event directory for more information).

Please check out our 2022 Shavathon Gallery and find some inspiration for your #CANSAShavathon 20th Anniversary hairdo!

If you can’t make it to Shavathon this year, show your support by paying a “Bail Out” fee.

Shavathon is also an opportunity to support CANSA’s education and screening initiatives as well as care and support service to cancer patients and loved ones. To shave or spray in a variety of colours, requires a donation fee of only R50 per adult and R25 for children under 12 years and we have kept the price the same for the last 19 years!

An example of one of many services your donation makes possible is our free CANSA Tele Counselling service to cancer patients, loved ones and caregivers. All counsellors are trained to offer cancer-specific counselling and it is available in 7 languages. Anyone you know affected by cancer? They are welcome to make an appointment on 0800 22 66 22 or email [email protected] for support.

Fun Fact

In 2005 the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu shaved his head

We are thankful to two well-known celebs who helped us with our Shavathon radio ads: Rozanne McKenzie, friend of CANSA, presenter, MC and co-host of Jacaranda FM’s ‘The Drive Show with Rob and Roz’, lends her well-known voice to the Shavathon hype, while platinum-selling artist and popular musician Daniel Baron, pledges his support with the song ‘A Lions Heart’ written for his cousin who passed away from cancer at age 14 and inspired him to write the song about his love for life.

If you’ve been part of Shavathon over the years, please share your special stories, moments, memories and photos with us and tell us why this event means so much to you.

Who did you support or remember when you previously participated?

Fun Fact:

In the last two decades, many celebrities and personalities have been part of Shavathon and given their time, talents and support: cancer survivor Mark Pilgrim, Lillian Dube, Mi Casa, Freshly Ground, The Parlotones, Daniel Baron, Marc Lottering, Danny K, Toya Delazy, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Natalie Du Toit and many more. The late Jeremy Mansfield previously also encouraged South Africans to support Shavathon.

Host Your Own Shavathon Event

NEW: Workplaces, businesses, clubs, organisations and schools can host events for an entire month from 27 February to 31 March 2023. Individuals can also host an event. Our CANSA Shavathon eShop is ready for action!

CHALLENGE: We challenge workplaces, businesses, clubs, organisations, schools and individuals to host an event and have fun with it!

Why not see which department or branch can raise the most funds with their Shavathon event or collect the most hair donations, or perhaps challenge your neighbouring school or competing club – teams can compete against each other to see who raises the most online by creating an online fundraising page per team on our Shavathon event page on GivenGain.

Our top Shavathon Hosts hosting a private events and raising the most funds will stand a chance to win amazing prizes.

Raise Funds Online

CANSA also encourages individuals participating at shopping centres to open an online fundraising page beforehand, and to invite their contacts to support the action they will take on behalf of cancer Survivors on the day, whether they shave, or spray, by making an online donation to the participant’s fundraising page.

Participants can then share their online fundraising efforts and before and after photos on their social media platforms using the hashtag #CANSAShavathon in the weeks leading up to their participation and top fundraisers stand a chance to win awesome prizes.

Share this Shavathon invite with 20 of your contacts in celebration of our 20th Anniversary!

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