Shave to
stop cancer
Shave to stop cancer
Not ready to shave your head? Here's some other options!
Shave your
Head
Make a big commitment and an even bigger impact for people affected by cancer. Shave your head or facial hair – you could even give your biggest supporters control of the clippers or let them pick a particular new ‘do!
Dye Your
Hair
Add some colour to your hair, beard or moustache to brighten up hopes for a cancer free future. Why not let your donors choose the dye?
Get a
fresh cut
If you haven’t been able to make it to the hairdresser or barber for a while, it might be time to mix it up. Try out a dream haircut, or even let donors choose your new look – and you could even try cutting it yourself!
Change your hair to stop cancer
What You’ll Get
FREE fundraiser kit
You’ll receive a kit with posters, donation box, thank you cards and handbook to help you get started.
Fundraising page
This is your fundraising hub. Put up pictures, share your story and ask for support – and keep track of all your donations as they come in!
Personal support
We’re here to help. For guidance, support, advice or ideas, just get in touch whenever you need us.
Join team cancer council and make a difference
Join team cancer council and make a difference
213
Have signed up to
shave, cut, or colour
5,488
People donated to
help stop cancer
$326,036
Dollars raised
so far
How Rosie made a difference
After losing her brother and aunty to cancer, Rosie wanted to make a difference – so she decided on a new ‘do. “I was inspired to shave my head and raise money for Cancer Council because I wanted to raise awareness, funds for research and spread some hope.”
Donating your hair
Where to donate your hair
Once you’ve done your shave or cut fundraiser, we recommend donating your hair to Sustainable Salons, a social enterprise that repurposes salon materials to avoid waste and benefit the community. Sustainable Salons accepts hair donations (natural or coloured) of 20cm or longer and works with organisations like the Australian Alopecia Areata Foundation and Variety – the Children’s Charity to distribute your hair to people experiencing hair loss as a result of illness. Read below for how to prepare your hair for donation.
Preparing your hair
- Wash and dry your hair. Do not apply any styling product.
- Section your hair into small ponytails around your head and secure with elastics. Tie the elastic 1-2cm down from where you will cut. Secure each ponytail tightly, plait the full length of the ponytail, and secure again at the bottom.
- Measure your ponytail. Hair donations must be 20cm or longer (measuring between the elastics) to be used to create a wig.
- Cut hair 1-2cm above the elastic. Keep the ponytail flat and dry.
- Seal the ponytail in a snap-lock bag.
- Place in an envelope and mail to: Sustainable Salons - Ponytails, GPO Box 322, Sydney NSW 2001
Why we don’t accept hair
We are often contacted by generous people wishing to donate their hair to help cancer patients experiencing hair loss, especially when people are shaving or cutting their hair to raise funds for Cancer Council. However, we don't accept real hair donations because we don’t use real hair wigs. This is because these wigs cost thousands of dollars to make.
We provide free synthetic wigs to cancer patients experiencing treatment-related hair loss. Synthetic wigs are much more cost-effective, easier to wash and look after, and allow us to provide free wigs to even more Victorians.
Learn more about our free wig service.
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