As part of the breast cancer awareness month, we feature Ramani Fernando,a popular hairdresser who initiated the hair donation campaign for cancer patients. She partnered with Lalith Dharmawardene, the only human hair wig specialist who contributed to the fight against cancer, This breast cancer month of October,every Friday and Saturday, the Burj Khalifa lights up in pink in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer. The iconic landmark also features the official symbol of breast cancer. “The pink ribbon,” while the Dubai fountain runs pink circles during the duration of the show. Meanwhile designers have styled exclusive pink coats and silhouettes with a generous percentage of sales directed to breast cancer patients world wide.

by Zanita Careem

October is the breast cancer awareness month, this is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. This is in suppor to show every woman or man that her or his life are important. By working together, we can help people suffering from cancer.

The National Cancer Prevention month was first observed in 2004 after the passage of Senate Resolution in 2000. Introduced by Senate Earnest. Hollings to encourage communities across the country to take this opportunity to educate one another and take the necessary steps to prevent cancer. There are many volunteers assisting cancer patients, every year thousands of patients visit clinics Cancer can strip people and purpose and place in the world. Ramani Fernando, popular hairdresser and beautician started a project to accept hair donations to make wigs for those patients who lose hair during chemotherapy . She has always the epitome of selfless love for the suffering. She was determined to help those suffering from cancer. As a woman she believes that appearance and a healthy growth of hair matter for any women. But this appearance is often challenged with complications like cancer or any other incurable ailment. Cancer can deteriorate one’s appearance and make you feel depressed. To help those in need she started working with Cancer Care Trust to collect hair from volunteers and help those in need of wigs for patients who lose hair.

A great gesture during this month of October to light a candle in the midst of darkness.

Any Ramani Fernando Salons in Colombo will give a free cut and style for those who donate their hair for cancer patients, and in return a certificate of appreciation is given to the volunteers by Ramani Fernando salons

She and her team of trained professionals deliver , a one of a kind service to every individual who walks through any of her salons to give their hair.

Her collaboration with Cancer Care Trust in Sri Lanka to provide hair donations for children and women battling with cancer embodies her humane quality and generous gesture

As this hair donation campaign for cancer patients brings hope to hundreds of women and girls battling with this deadly disease.The locks donated go to make wigs for patients with loss of hair for a young woman to look into the mirror and smile.!

“Every day many donors visit the ‘We have an exodus of volunteers eager to donate but wig making has become a tedious process. It takes time to sort out the different types of hair, there is a lack of staff to make wigs with the current situation ” said Ramani .Lalith Dharmawardena is dedicated his valuable time to make wigs for those who have lost their hair to cancer. “I have taken may challenges, but this the biggest challenge so far ‘. Despite all obstacles those who like to donate are more than welcome to dedicate their hair for this worthy cause .said Lalith.

Four sailors, assigned to Ticonderoga, class guided missile cruses, US Princeton and US Embassy gave their locks of hair while they were on a visit to Colombo. After harvesting the donated hair, Stylists from our salons shampooed, conditioned and gave them a free hair cut, we professionally styled their hair and gave all of them a new look. Once completed, the sailors gave each of my hairdresser their ship ball cap as a token of appreciation Each lock has been cut for a cause and each wig is a token of love and hope said Ramani.

These hair wigs have changed the life of many cancer patients today. Not only does it give them the added strength to fight the terminal disease, but gave them character and self confidence.

Although almost everyone was aware of the fact that chemotherapy causes hair loss, it was not until Ramani Fernando salons started the hair donation programme and Lalith Dharmawardene, the only human hair wig makes in Sri Lanka, were drawn to this benevolent venture, most of the cancer patients especially the women , had a social stigma to face society

Ramani Fernando also took part in the press conference held at Maharagama recently to raise awareness and launch touch, look, check campaign.

Early detection and treatment of the disease and promoting regular self examination of breast every month on a fixed day are very effective says Ramani.