By: Smitha George
Palakkad, Kerala: Gift of hair is a gift of love. This was the motto of the hair donation program held at Mercy College, Palakkad on Thursday in connection with the World Womens Day Celebration.
Students, parents and teachers of the college actively took part in the program which was jointly organised by the college’s Department of Social Work and Aasakiranam – a cancer safety initiative by the People’s Sevice Society Palakkad (PSSP).

Over 53 participants donated their hair in one day. The oldest member of the  college’s Parents Assosciation to a 7- year-old  were among those who enthusiastically donated at the program.

Hair loss is a very common side effect of chemotherapy and most patients end up wearing wigs. The donated hair was handed over to Amala Institute of Medical Sciences , Thrissur , for providing wigs  free of cost to those women who had lost their hair as part of their cancer treatment. A  wig with natural hair costs a minimum of Rs 15,000 which is well beyond the means of a most of them.

Participants and organisers at Mercy College, Palakkad

Palakkad district Assistant Public Prosecutor P.Premnath inaugurated the program. Sr. Rose Ann , Principal of Mercy College presided over the function. Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Executive Secretary of PSSP, offered felicitations for the participants.

Cancer prevention and  awareness on diet and lifestyle were also discussed at the event. The students called the program a very touching and inspiring act of mercy.

Amritha Sukumar, who runs Thilakam Beauty Spa volunteered her services free of cost for the program.The organisers specially thanked the faculty of the Department of Social work, Fr. Joy Arakkal of PSSP and Sr. Bincy MSJ who led this novel initiative at the college.