Kiwi Charity Hair Donors to Star on Screen
A leading charitable initiative will give New Zealanders the chance to donate their hair and make their TV debut in a bid to support Kiwi women battling cancer.
A leading charitable initiative will give New Zealanders the chance to donate their hair and make their TV debut in a bid to support Kiwi women battling cancer.
The Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign aims to inspire Kiwis to grow, cut and donate their hair to be turned into real-hair wigs for NZ females undergoing cancer treatment.
The TV initiative will reward three Kiwis with a professional haircut on FOUR Live, screened nationwide, as they donate their ponytails to the campaign.
P&G spokesperson, Lisa Cunningham says the initiative is a unique way of rewarding three donors for their efforts with a makeover, while treating viewers nationwide to a dynamic before and after set-up.
“Performing a cut on air will invoke the vibrancy and positive energy that many of our donors have when they give their hair to the cause, and we feel very proud and grateful to have the opportunity,” she says.
Cunningham says that spreading the word about the Pantene Beautiful Lengths cause is a fundamental past of supporting Kiwi women with cancer.
“As a leader in hair care products worldwide, Pantene is devoted to giving back to the community wherever we can, and it is this passion that drives us to push the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign as best we can,” she says.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths, now in its second year in New Zealand, continues its partnership with Look Good Feel Better (LGFB). The international cancer support charity provides practical and effective free services for women and teenagers suffering from the visible side effects of cancer treatment.
Look Good Feel Better general manager Clare O’Higgins says LGFB is dedicated to improving the wellbeing and self-confidence of people undergoing treatment for any type of cancer.
“Many beneficiaries tell us that LGFB helped them regain a sense of control and normality at a time when diagnosis and treatment had taken over their lives. We are delighted that the support through this initiative will enable our organisation to continue to support over 3,000 women annually,” she says.
Kiwis will be able to participate in the event, aired on FOUR Live, by sharing posts or pledging their ponytails through the Facebook app set up by Pantene and the TV network.
The director of sales and marketing at Mediaworks, Liz Fraser, says FOUR is proud to be involved with the Beautiful Lengths programme; supporting the goal of helping women of all ages look and feel their best.
“Cancer can affect anyone, of any age so we’ll be encouraging our audience to get involved and letting them know how they can make a real difference right here in NZ. Even if they can’t do the big chop themselves, they can help us spread the message,” she says.
This year, New Girl star Zooey Deschanel is behind the cause, encouraging NZ women and men to grow, cut and donate their ponytails to be made into real-hair wigs.
“Pantene is helping to provide confidence and beautiful real-hair wigs to women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment; you can’t put a price on that,” says Deschanel.
“I know Australia and New Zealand have received over 5,000 ponytails so far which will make a huge difference to many women with cancer, and I hope we can surpass that number this year.”
The Pantene Beautiful Lengths Big Cut will air on November 29.
For more information, or to make a pledge, please visit the Beautiful Lengths app on FOUR’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/FOURtv