Ayla Staltari

On the 1^st of August I’m taking part in Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project campaign to raise funds that will support people impacted by cancer.

Cancer is a complex and devastating disease that affects millions of people and family's each day, worldwide. There are numerous types of cancer, each with its own unique characteristics and treatment options, all causing a range of symptoms depending on its location and stage. The most common cancers in Australia, accounting for about 60% of all diagnoses are: prostate, breast, colorectal, melanoma and lung cancer. Sadly, cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia, with almost 50,000 deaths in 2019. Thankfully, as access to healthcare and research has grown, cancer related deaths are slowly lowering. We have come a long way since the 1980s when the cancer survival rate was less than 50% Today, almost 7 in 10 Australians will survive for at least five years after a cancer diagnosis and in some cancers the survival rate is as high as 90%.

Chemotherapy is a common type of cancer treatment which uses powerful chemicals to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. As a result of the treatment, chemotherapy causes a range of challenging side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and hair loss. Fortunately, for most people, hair loss is temporary, however it is possible to suffer from long-term alopecia. After losing hair and dealing with a sudden shift in appearance, cancer patients are faced with an extremely difficult obstacle, experiencing a range of different emotions. Thankfully, there are wonderful organizations like cancer council looking to accept hair donations and create personalized wigs, or hair prostheses for children and adults in need. By cutting off my ponytail, something that will only grow back, I am hopefully make a difference in someone’s life to help bring back their confidence!

Over the next 3 months, I’ll be growing my hair, alongside many others across Australia. Every ponytail chopped will make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer and all funds raised will go towards essential cancer support services, prevention programs and lifesaving research. This means everything from transport to get cancer patients to and from their medical appointments, to assisting childcare facilities to keep kids safe from the sun.