Sorority raising funds for cancer patients

MANILA, Philippines - Summer approaches... time for a shorter hairdo. And when you get a haircut, you can even help cancer patients.    

A university sorority is holding a hair and nail makeover event next week to raise funds for indigent cancer-stricken children and gather hair for medical wigs for use by those undergoing chemotherapy.

Film star Liezl Martinez, a cancer survivor, will be among several guests who will talk about their battle with cancer at the charity event to be held on Feb. 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the SM City Manila event area.    

Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, will be used to renovate the play area for pediatric patients at the Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute, where many of the country’s poorest cancer patients are being treated.    

Dubbed “Hair. Care. Share,” the event will feature hairdressers and manicurists from participating salons in SM Manila. The Philippine STAR is one of the sponsors.

Lengths of hair collected during the event will be turned into medical wigs as part of a continuing project of the non-profit group Donate Your Hair Today.

The group provides the wigs to indigent cancer-stricken women and children who have lost their hair after undergoing chemotherapy.

The Mu Sigma Phi is the first duly recognized medical sorority in the Philippines and in Asia. It has earned a place in the Hall of Fame for the Most Outstanding Organizations in UP Manila.    

To reserve haircut, manicure, or pedicure slots at the charity event, or to ask for more information, you may contact Micah Masbad (0923-6584992) or Aila Cruz (0927-3426711).