To shave my head for charity?

[Topaz25]

I'm seriously considering shaving my long hair off for charity. As well as collecting sponsorship for a cancer charity, I would also donate the hair to The Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs to children that have sadly lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Has anyone done anything like this? Were you happy with the result or did you regret it? Any tips?

Would you think it was weird if a friend did this? My DH thinks it is weird and is concerned what our colleagues will think. I think they will see my commitment to fundraising as a positive thing and anyway I could wear a wig to work. I think he is also worried that he won't find me attractive bald. I think it's just hair and it will grow back!

So WIBU to shave my head for charity?

Suefla62 I would be supporting a cancer charity. In the OP I said:

"As well as collecting sponsorship for a cancer charity, I would also donate the hair to The Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs to children that have sadly lost their own hair through cancer treatment."

It's really interesting to see everyone's opinions, I'm having trouble keeping up lol. To address the point about whether people would want to sponsor me or whether it is actually doing anything, people have successfully raised sponsorship through shaving their heads so I think people would sponsor me. It is a small sacrifice and a big change, which shows commitment to the cause. I think it is challenging in it's own way. I think some people are interested in sponsoring head shaves because they can get involved in the process and see the before and after pics. It also benefits cancer charities in 2 ways, as well as raising sponsorship I can donate the hair.

But Topaz I suppose what I mean is that people sponsor you because they support the charity rather than what it is you're doing. No one generally turns around and says NO I will support a sponsored run but not a walk - it's the sponsorship rather than the activity that takes precedence.

As such I think if you want to shave your head for a particular reason and tie this into charitable donations that's fine but personally I would not ever want to do this and I would certainly be upset if my DH did, to turn around what you mentioned on the other page.

None of the above means I don't recognise your service to charity of course :)

I'm not sure if my workplace has a policy on shaved heads but they a re supportive of fundraising so I hope they would understand. Otherwise I could wear a wig, I'm only part time at the moment so it wouldn't be a big problem.

I think the thing is that if we all were the same then we'd always be appealing to the same people and not tapping into those with different personalities and priorities. There are only do many sponsored runs and cake bakes people can be inspired by.

My mates are all fab people, I'm lucky. Whilst I couldn't do what they do or even necessarily understand why, the one thing I do know is that anything they do would be purely for altruistic motives, not to show off!

Ragwort I do litterpicking too but hadn't thought of asking for sponsorship, thanks for the idea! The reason I talk about my fundraising efforts isn't to get personal attention but to inspire other people to donate or fundraise.

Wow! I am surprised at the some of the replies here. I intend to do the same next year, as part of a larger campaign that runs every year and raises a couple of million Euro for cancer charities. shave or dye I'm waiting until my hair is long enough to donate as well.

I can't see how it's offensive to cancer sufferers. They don't have the monopoly on baldness but I'm pretty sure anyone who experiences hair loss for any reason wouldn't like to think they look "dreadful". My DH shaves his hair because he likes how it looks, why should a woman not be able to enjoy the same right?

Furthermore, it is arguable that any public fundraising campaign/search for sponsorship contains an element of "look at me". That's how and why it works. Lots of people sponsor others to wax their chests (does chest hair require more effort to grow?) or climb Kilimanjaro (where approx. 1/8 of the money raised actually reaches the charity. How is this less worthy?

OP, YANBU. Go for it!

I'm not sure I'd rush to sponsor someone who did this.

I'd be more inclined to sponsor a person who had really put themselves out by competing in an endurance race or the like.

I realise it's a lovely gesture but, don't know, just feels a bit trivial.

I can't see how it's offensive to cancer sufferers. They don't have the monopoly on baldness

Gah, that really jars.

It's nothing to do with being male or female, Never. I associate shaved heads with a skinhead culture which if anything is less prevalent in women. There is a difference between losing hair due to chemotherapy treatment, or losing it to age, and shaving it, not just in intent but in appearance. Shaved hair looks different to hair that has fallen out - very different.

I do donate my own money too but there is a limit to how much I can donate individually, whereas if I do a sponsored activity and a lot of people each sponsor me a small amount it will raise more money.

I did it twice, through the Cops for Cancer fundraiser.

2 tips... First, bring a hat - you will find it cold once the hair comes off - either that, or you'll be at risk of one nasty sun burn. Second, bring along some baby lotion. You may find that you have a dry scalp you didn't really know about - I did, and felt pretty embarrassed about it. However, being able to smooth a little lotion on it while I was hairless, and it cleared right up, and has never returned.

Hair grows back, and when it is short, there are lots of cute styles. I say go for it.

Thanks for the tips, I hadn't thought of that.

I'm not keen either

Id be happier to donate to someone who has trained/worked at something rather than just sat in a barbers chair and let someone shave it off.

No body has answered my question. What endurance could I have done????

LST, I have absolutely no idea. I know nothing about you and your circumstances.

Read the thread then

Just came on to say about a hat but I see bee mum beat me to it

I just shaved my hair off for charity and no one tells you how cold it is!

My husband, who is challenged in the hair department says it's all about the head shape. That said, what a bloody amazing thing to do. Keep a diary of how people treat you afterwards and see if you can fundraiser on here. I would love to sponsor you.

LST has this thread become about you then

Thank you, that's so sweet. If I go ahead I will see if I can post a link on here, I think there is a charity section.

Crossposted. Joules I think LST was making the point that not everyone can run a marathon etc.

Yes Joules

I just wanted people who say "there are better ways to fundraise" to tell me what I should have done when I can barley walk most days let alone run??

I will definitely sponsor you Op. Just pm me the link