Locks of love: A noble quest against cancer | Fusion - WeRIndia

In an age where social media often highlights acts of kindness, Harapriya Nayak stands out for her quiet dedication to cancer patients.

For three years, away from the digital spotlight, Harapriya has been transforming donated hair into wigs for chemotherapy patients, a beacon of hope for those struggling with the disease’s devastating side effects.

Understanding the deep emotional toll hair loss takes on women undergoing chemotherapy, Harapriya, a social worker from Chhangarh village in Khurda district, launched Mission Smile for the Cancer Fighters in 2021.

This initiative, under her Social Organisation for Professional Volunteer Action trust, first saw Harapriya donate her own waist-length hair to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital in Mumbai, setting a precedent for empathy and support.

Harapriya ‘s mission has since galvanized a community of over 150 donors from Odisha and neighbouring Jharkhand, including men, women, and children. Among them is six-year-old Anya Sharma, representing a wide spectrum of society united in a singular cause.

These efforts aim to alleviate the additional burden of purchasing expensive natural hair wigs, which are often beyond the financial reach of underprivileged cancer survivors.

The initiative addresses the critical need for safe, natural hair wigs. Unlike synthetic alternatives, which may cause skin problems and offer little durability, natural wigs offer comfort and confidence but come at a high cost.

Harapriya ‘s organization collaborates with Hyderabad Hair Donation For Cancer Patients to create these wigs free of charge, ensuring that those in need can access them without financial strain.

To date, Harapriya and her team have managed to donate 30 wigs, bringing smiles and restoring self-esteem to many women.

Her commitment extends beyond a single donation; plans are underway for her to donate her hair a second time, underscoring her ongoing dedication to the cause.

Harapriya ‘s work, recognized by various awards, underscores the impact of collective action and empathy in the fight against cancer.

Through ‘Hair Donation Odisha,’ she continues to inspire and mobilize support, proving that every lock of hair donated weaves a strand of hope for cancer warriors.

Image Credit: Nagendiran1986, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_human_hair.jpg