S'pore girl, 9, shaves head to support children battling cancer at Hair for Hope event

A nine-year-old girl in Singapore shaved her head for Hair for Hope to support children battling cancer.

In a video posted by Hair for Hope on Jul. 5, Faith said she wanted to help children with cancer because they "suffer a lot" and hoped to make them happy again.

She added that she was not afraid to return to school bald because she wanted to tell her classmates about Hair for Hope.

Inspired after seeing a poster

Faith told Lianhe Zaobao that she decided to sign up after spotting a Hair for Hope poster at the void deck of an HDB block.

Although she does not have friends or relatives with cancer, she said she had seen children her age undergoing treatment, losing their hair to chemotherapy and missing school.

She also worried they might be teased because of their appearance, prompting her to show her support by shaving her own head.

Her mother, Cai Tingting (transliteration), initially thought it might be a passing whim.

However, Faith remained resolute each time she was asked if she was sure, including on the day of the event when the hairdresser confirmed her decision.

Warm welcome at school

Faith shaved her head just before school reopened after the June holidays.

She admitted feeling nervous about how her teachers and classmates would react, but said everyone was supportive.

When classmates asked about it, she explained that she had shaved her head to support children with cancer.

The school later highlighted her act of kindness during a weekly assembly, and Faith said she has since become known as "the girl with the shaved head".

She added that she would be willing to shave her head again in future.

Organised by the Children's Cancer Foundation, Hair for Hope is Singapore's only head-shaving campaign dedicated to raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer.

This year's campaign runs from Mar. 4 to Aug. 16.