Story

I am Rayden Pereira and 2 years ago, on my 8th birthday, I wanted to do something special for someone else so I decided to grow out my hair to donate it to children who are undergoing treatment for cancer. 

Now being a boy I knew that growing my hair was going to be hard and I was so excited but little did I know that this would be one of the most challenging things I would have to do! 

Being ridiculed, being called “a little girl” and picked on constantly were just a few of the challenges I had to overcome. Also, since I love sports, having to explain that I belong on the boys team instead of being shoved to the girls team was really embarrassing. I knew I was different and felt alone sometimes, but I was focused on my goal and it didn’t stop me from continuing to grow my hair.

The one thing I learned early on in my journey was that all that I went through was nothing compared to what people with cancer go through. Losing your hair because of chemotherapy and feeling alone and looking different from everyone else is very difficult because I experienced it myself, and I am very happy that I can donate my hair to at least help one other person and make them feel confident about they way they look. This is why I chose the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) Society, which was founded in 1999 and is a non-profit organization in the UAE committed to helping patients and their families financially and emotionally. 

I also wanted to take it one step further and try and collect as much funds as possible towards this amazing cause because the wigs have to be specially made due to the sensitive skin because of their treatment. I would really love to reach my goal so that I can cut my hair and I really need your help to achieve this.

I do hope you all can find it in you hearts to help me make a difference! 

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