Hair for Hope 08 : Today is THE day~

Hair for Hope 08, an event which I've been waiting for since 2006 (couldn't participate at that time since I was going to Sweden for an internship). It's an initiative by the Children Cancer Foundation, Singapore, to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to raise fund at the same time. As stated at the foundation's website:

"Patients’ hair loss, from treatments of cancer such as chemotherapy, is a representation of his or her courageous fight against cancer. Through the symbolic gesture of shaving, Hair for Hope wishes to lend moral support to all children with cancer, and to let them know that there is nothing wrong with being bald."

Well, there's definitely nothing wrong in going bald, because I've been bald for 10 hours now (YES! I did it!!!), and I haven't been scorned or laughed at! All that I've received was nothing but encouragements, although one really couldn't avoid some curious stares with a freshly shaven head.

I won't bring you all through the long process of shaving (actually it only took 10 mins), but will show you the end results first! Since some of you (my mom, for example) are anxious to know to what extend will my head represent an egg! Tadaaaa~~

Not bad, isn't it?

Now, to the story-telling part. Let's start with when I arrived at Velocity, Novena. Well, I was having cold feet since the previous night. I couldn't speak nor think properly. I was scared by the thought of going on stage, with a few hundred people looking at me being shaved like a pig under the butcher's knife! GC was so sweet to do the registration for me. He repeatedly asked me whether I was sure about shaving. He even got me to repeat to myself that I wasn't going to regret!

One last shot with long hair
Ok, going into the hall =) I was wearing the gold ribbon (finger pointing) to help raise awareness about childhood cancer
Feeling very nervous. The stage was only 100m from me...
WTH, just go for it! Me getting onto the electric chair. Hehe, just joking!

To start shaving, the stylist first tied my hair into a pony tail. She then started shaving from the back of my head, slowly working it up to the top of my head, removing the whole 'intact' pony tail

Now you see....

Now you don't!! Muahahahaha!

My hair!!! (in a Zip-loc bag)

After the pony tail was gone, another stylist joined to finish up my head. They were really efficient in it. GC told me that within an hour (12.30-1.30pm), the team of stylist shaved 103 heads!

I put this up just to scare others! I looked as if I was tortured, but in fact it was just some hair that got into my eyes.

Almost done...

Touching up...

Woohoo! Say hi to my new hairstyle!
Walking off the stage, feeling all coooool on the head! I started sneezing right after I came down from the stage =)
Me and my hair! Mission accomplished!
A photo with my dear photographer-of-the-day. =) I wouldn't be able to do it without GC supporting me by my side. He's my hero!
I met this group of bravehearts... From left: the daughter, the aunt, the mom and me! Go girl power!
And another courageous soul while having lunch at Fish & Co.
Who said we can't look gorgeous without hair?!

Well, as a reward for being brave and didn't chicken out, GC treated me to a sumptuous lunch of seafood platter and wasabi pizza! Here I am, eating sotong, reporting to my aunt on the phone.

I got loads of support from my family for shaving. First it was my father saying "If it's for a good cause, then why not?", then my mom started pledging for donations for me in Penang. I really want to thank EVERYBODY who chipped in and gave me encouragements. This is the first time I'm going bald, and without these support, I'll be weeping my pillow wet by now. But since I have so many people 'backing' me up, the whole experience became a wonderful one.

At the end of the day, let's not forget who we're doing this for. To kids who had to go bald because of chemo, you guys are the champions! One really needs to summon a lot of courage for looking so different from normal people. Hope you guys carry on with your fight against cancer, because now you have many more people who are willing to fight together with you!