Does anyone else dislike the Macmillan Brave the Shave campaign?

Funny that Judyr58, my fabbo (Irish) GP told me I looked like Sinead O'Connor. I was very flattered as I'm certainly not the sylph-like creature she was when she was sporting that hairdo.

I went bald the entire time through chemo - couldn't stand hats or scarves and didn't bother to get a wig as I wouldn't have liked that either. I found people, without exception, to be very pleasant and kind. And no staring or making me feel uncomfortable. There should be more of it so everyone can feel that it's completely unexceptional to be bald. After all, no one takes any notice of a person with a cast on their arm.

I do, however, hate the brave the shave thing, mostly as for me no hair is symbolic of an awful time, not being brave nor being a martyr, as some participants behave.

Cheers

Lynn xx

Couldn't agree more Lynn! - 

I particularly agree about hair loss as being so symbolic of an awful time - always dislike being called brave or being turned into a poor victim  as well! 

I think we all just muddle through as best we can - I am a pretty positive person anyway so my usual approach served me well and was very much my "public" face. That said I had a fair few days during chemo huddled under the bedclothes in tears and wondering how I would do another day, let alone another cycle.

It's not about being brave, it's about doing what has to be done as the alternative is worse.

Cheers to you too my dear!

Hi, just thought I would let you know I think the "brave the shave" is horrendous advertising. We didn't ask for all us us to get Cancer, go though chemotherapy and get all the side effects one of which is hair lost. It makes me cringe every time it comes on, I wasn't laughing and joking when my hair was coming out in handfuls, my hairdresser was crying with me when she clippered my hair to a number one. I lost my femininity, my hair is who I was! Lost confidence always wore a hat or turban. It was when my head resembled a blotched patten that my fantastic sister come over and shaved my head, you could here a pin drop in the bathroom! Not a word was said!

I now have hair of about two centimetres long and next week is final four boost radiotherapy. (Eyebrows and eyelashes also making an appearance!).

I personally find the campaign patronising and offensive and not taking into consideration our feelings.

Onwards and upwards.

Mistia.

Well I'm just left speechless.  I've written to both Macmillan & Cancer Research UK to ask them to explain themselves (no reply from either so far).  Also, as a protest to Macmillan not listening to its own customers' feelings, I was planning to complete Cancer Research's September Dryathlon this year, instead of doing my regular stint for the Macmillan Sober October, only to find Cancer Research also promote Head Shave events, albeit not quite as aggressively as Macmillan.  Typically, the local Brave the Shave events are getting all the publicity (local paper turning up at the hairdressers, etc), while at the same time, a team from a local company planning to climb Ben Nevis for Macmillan are having to struggle to promote their own cause  - so, as I said, I'm left astounded and speechless.

On a practical note, I just discovered a gizmo that might be useful to anybody who's been watching their hair disappear down the plug hole after chemo. I've not been in that situation but I had a bit of a blockage and bought some hair clog removal tools on Amazon.  You get a five-pack for £5.59. 

Simply thread it down the plug hole and pull. I got a lump the size of a large mouse out of mine.

You may want to give the job to a loved one as I can imagine it would be pretty upsetting to see the evidence in that way but it will unclog your pipes. 

Hi All,

@silverglades,

They seem to be missing the point. We don't mind if people shave but do not call it brave.

I think that this a pretty informative response from Macmillan but you could argue I am bias. 

'Brave the shave' is a catchy slogan and I would suggest the catchiness of it has been considered more than the meaning of brave. 

Saying that, I think anyone who is willing enough to show courage to willingly shave their heads to raise money for people like us then that does define brave. I'm certainly not up for shaving my hair for charity. 

Julia X 

Yes, I'd spoken to a couple of friends I was in hospital with as well and not everyone is against the suggestion that it's brave - it was more that it reminded them of an awful time at best and, at worst, the campaign seems to suggest that shaving your head isn't a big deal. Something that most people should be able to do, almost like throwing a bucket of iced water over your head. It didn't consider that being willing to do it for a short while was very different from having to lose all your hair and not knowing if, when or how it would grow back, and coping with that along with all the other side-effects & emotions that go with chemo and being diagnosed.

Something else that occurred to me...

The brave shavers will look in the mirror, know they have raised some money and know their hair will soon be back.

I used to look in the mirror and my bare head, lack of eyebrows and lashes reminded me I had a life threatening, life changing battle to face.