GEORGE TOWN: Two sisters left home to donate blood, but ended up even losing their beautiful locks in a meaningful show of support for cancer patients and survivors.

       Both Chong Yiliang, 22, and her sister Yihui, 21, joined an impromptu charity head shaving session at a campaign in Prangin Mall here on Sunday.

       Yiliang, who sported shoulder length hair before the shave, said the experience was refreshing and meaningful.

       “We made a trip here, initially to donate blood.

       “But after looking at the head shaving session and understanding what it meant, we felt the urge to join in.

       “After all, this is only one of the ways we can help as we are still university students,” she said when met at the campaign ground.

       After losing their locks, the duo took part in the blood donation drive held under the Tanjung Star health awareness campaign to aid the blood bank of Sungai Bakap Hospital.

       Campaign organising chairman Jewel Ong, who is also Lions Tanjung Star’s third vice-president, said the event was meant to raise funds for paediatric cancer patients at the Penang Hospital while increasing blood stock for the blood bank at Sungai Bakap Hospital.

       “We hope to raise RM100,000 for the paediatrics and oncology departments of Penang Hospital.

       “The head shaving session is a symbolic gesture to show support for cancer patients and survivors.

       “We hope that through this, many can join to show support and tell them that they are not alone.”