CUTforCAUSE
Hair Donation Drive

The CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive is a family thanksgiving celebration in partnership with the Rotary Club of Hiyas ng Maynila District 3810 through the leadership of Phenomenal Leader President Mark Gil B. Arciaga. This project is also in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Adamson University, the Rotaract Club of Kabataang Maynila, and InstaHair Extensions Salon Las Piñas. Its aim is to encourage friends and family, especially mother-daughter tandems, to donate hair for a good cause.

The Venue
Cut and Style by InstaHair Extensions Salon

This hair donation drive was held last August 14, 2022 at BIGMACK HQ, Arciaga Compound in Putatan, Muntinlupa City, the hometown of PLP Mark Gil. The family's ancestral rest house was transformed into a make-shift salon where our generous donors received a complimentary haircut and styling from InstaHair Extensions Salon.

Rotary in Action

The drive would not have been a success without the help of the active and devoted members of the Rotary Club of Hiyas ng Maynila District 3810, Rotaract Club of Adamson University, and Rotaract Club of Kabataang Maynila.

Each member played a significant role in organizing the said event. They worked together in setting up the venue, preparing and distributing the welcome kits, gift bags, grocery packs, and some Snip and Snacks (snack and refreshments) for the participants. They were also involved in the planning, documenting the event, and facilitating the program. One of the Rotaractors, Past District Rotaract Representative Helene, even volunteered and encouraged Steffi, our youngest hair donor, to join the cause. Steffi's aunt, Ms. Lysa Bulosan, is also a Past District Rotaract Representative of Rotary Club of University District of Manila.

Welcoming of Guests and Participants

To keep all the attendees safe as possible, we ensured safety protocols were in place and social distancing was observed. Welcome kits containing facemasks and pocket-sized alcohol spray bottles were distributed to our hair donors. These welcome kits were donated by Past President Regina T. Arciaga.

Cut from our Hearts,
our simple way of saying Thank You!

As our way of expressing our appreciation for the generous support and participation of our hair donors, we gifted them products that will help nurture their hair in their hair growth journey. We also shared on this site the T0p 10 Hair Care Tips to give your hair the right care.

These haircare products, food supplements, and grocery packs were donated by our generous friends and family members.

Community Awareness
(The CUTforCAUSE Talks and Programme)

The CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive Team invited speakers and prepared a short, simple program for our hair donors and guests.

Our goal is to bring people from the local community together to give them awareness and inspiration about how, in their own little way such as donating hair, can be life-changing for a cancer patient.

Programme

▪︎ Registration
▪︎ Distribution of Keep Safe Welcome Kits and Snip and Snacks (Snacks and Refreshments)
▪︎ Call to Order by Phenomenal Leader President Mark Gil B. Arciaga
▪︎ Opening Prayer by Immediate Past President of the Rotaract Club of Adamson University Kyro Marco R. Angeles
▪︎ Special Message from the Birthday Celebrant Rova B. Arciaga-Melencio
▪︎ Orientation of the Volunteers about the CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive and What is Rotary All About by Charter President of the Rotaract Club of Adamson University and President Elect/Club Advisor of Rotaract Club of Kabataang Maynila Adrian Nathaniel D. Castillo
▪︎ Seminar on Gynecological Cancer and its Prevention by Dr. Maria Carlsol B. Arciaga, Ob-Gyne, Calamba Doctors Hospital
▪︎ Video Presentation on Choosing Healthy Lifestyle by Ms. Nicole D. Biguera, Nutritionist, Ospital ng Muntinlupa
▪︎ Hair Donors' Complimentary Haircut and Styling by Joms and Jijie of InstaHair Extensions Salon
▪︎ Photo Opportunity and Interview with the Hair Donors by CP/PE Adrian Nathaniel D. Castillo and IPP Kyro Marco R. Angeles
▪︎ Distribution of Certificates
▪︎ Distribution of Gift Bags and Grocery Packs
▪︎ Handwritten Testimonies and Messages from Hair Donors
▪︎ Awarding of Certificates to Joms and Jijie on behalf of InstaHair Extensions Salon
▪︎ Awarding of Certificates for the Guest Speakers: Dr. Maria Carlsol B. Arciaga; CP/PE Adrian Nathaniel D. Castillo; and Vincent Roman

CUTforCAUSE Talks

Our hair donors did not only get a new hairdo for doing something great, their minds and hearts were also filled with relevant information about cancer, its prevention, and choosing a healthy lifestyle. They also gained much information and insights from the inspirational story behind this project, and being of Service Above Self.

Snip and Snap

Cutting hair for a cause is the kindest cut anyone can make. It is a worthwhile experience that is meant to be captured on camera; not only the changes in their looks, but also their different reactions.

Let's appreciate the before and after photos of our hair donors who literally gave a part of themselves to give a strand of optimism to cancer patients who are experiencing the emotional and depressing side effects of chemotherapy -- hair loss.

While their cuts and styles look fabulous, our hair donors' acts of kindness are what make them most beautiful! Check the photo galleries and upvote your favorites!

13 Onsite Donors

10 Offsite Donors

Turnover of Donations
Strand Up for Cancer
by the Manila Downtown YMCA Youth Club

Through the generosity of our 21 donors, the CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Project was able to collect 23 bundles of hair, which our chosen foundation, Strand Up for Cancer by the Manila Downtown YMCA Youth Club, can use to craft and transform into durable, real-hair wigs that will be given to financially disadvantaged women who suffer from long-term hair loss due to chemotherapy.

The CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive Team turned over the hair donations collected from the said drive as well as the monetary donation (thru GCash OnlineTransfer) last August 16, 2022 at the Strand Up for Cancer office, Manila Downtown YMCA, 945 Sabino Padilla St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Family Thanksgiving

The CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive is our way of celebrating the different milestones in the family.

Our little princess, Nikeasia "Keasia" Arciaga turned 10 years old last August 4.

10 days later, we held the CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive to celebrate the birthday of the eldest sibling, Rova Arciaga-Melencio. Last 2019, she had a cancer scare while she was pregnant. Thankfully, it turned out to be benign after two biopsy results. This led her to pledge to help cancer patients on her birthday as her way of giving thanks for the many blessings she receives.

This year also marks the 10th year death anniversary of our mother, Valentine B. Arciaga, who fought a brave battle against cancer. Taking trips to the salon to have our hair groomed was one of our bonding moments with our Mom when she was still with us. This fond memory we had with her is the driving force behind the cause.

Thankfully, there are organizations, such as Strand Up for Cancer, an MDYMCA Youth Club-sponsored project, that provides avenues to individuals who wish to donate hair to financially disadvantaged cancer patients suffering and coping from hair loss due to the long-term effects of chemotherapy. And all it takes is a minimum of 10 inches of hair to make a donation and give a strand of hope to these cancer patients.

The best way to represent this project is through a cancer ribbon overlaid with a pair of scissors that symbolizes X, which is the roman numeral for number 10.

As we celebrate these milestones, we also celebrate the relationships forged with the different communities and organizations. This event would not come into fruition without the unwavering support of our families, friends, and other donors in making this hair donation drive a remarkable success. We became a family.

We cannot thank enough our generous hair donors who responded to our call to donate hair for a cause. The hair you shared will definitely go a long way in giving a strand of optimism to patients in their valiant battle against cancer.

We are truly grateful to our partners, the Rotary Club of Hiyas ng Maynila, the Rotaract Club of Adamson University, the Rotaract Club of Kabataang Maynila, and InstaHair Extensions Salon for the opportunity to be as one with the Rotarian motto, Service Above Self.

CUTforCAUSE Hair Donation Drive

The Venue Cut and Style by InstaHair Extensions Salon