Wings of hope: how repurposed saris restore dignity to cancer patients

FOR 21 years, Phoenix resident Rashika Rampersad's Wings of Hope charity has been transforming donated saris into dignified head wraps for cancer patients who have lost their hair during chemotherapy.

This simple act of kindness is helping restore confidence to patients across the country.

Sandra Valaitham, 51, of Phoenix, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in April.

She said losing her hair after her third chemotherapy session was one was difficult and heart-breaking.

“For two weeks after the chemotherapy, I was at my worse. I just felt like I was going to die. My body shuts down in so many ways, but I had to learn to manage my emotional and physical challenges” said Valaitham.

“When I lost my hair, people often stared at me. I felt so naked without my hair. Even covering-up with a head gear did not bring me any relief,” she said.

But for Valaitham, help was at hand from the Wings of Hope.

Run by Phoenix resident, Rashika Rampersad for more than 21 years, the non-profit organisation has been providing hope and care for cancer patients with their sari doek (head wrap) campaign.

“The doek gives me comfort in a way which I cannot describe. People don’t stare at me, and I do not feel so naked. I can go out into the public and not feel like there is a target on my back with everyone staring at me.

“I also ask Rashika for only black coloured doeks. This gives the illusion of hair. Lots of cancer patients in hospital use hats. I have a couple and feel like it looks odd. The doek is more comfortable,” said Valaitham.

Rampersad began her work after she witnessed first-hand the humiliation some cancer patients endured because of their hair loss.

“We were on a hospital visit, distributing items we had collected for babies and children, when I saw a waiting for her turn to see the doctor. There was another couple also waiting to see the doctor. They made this lady feel very uncomfortable because she didn’t have anything covering her head. She was losing hair. You could see she was a cancer patient and they kept questioning her and I could see she was uncomfortable. When I left the hospital a few hours later, in found the lady in tears in a corner.  

“I asked her what was wrong and if I could help. That was , when she told me that the couple were rude to her because of her hair loss.”

Rampersad she comforted the lady and returned home and thought of how she could help restore the dignity of cancer patients who had lost their hair.

This was how the sari doek campaign was born.

She said the organisation encouraged people to donate their saris which were repurposed into doeks.

“Wearing a doek helps these patients stand tall and with dignity. This project aims to empower patients and survivors by helping them feel more confident and connected. We also want to give cancer patients hope during their journey, as well as support them to live normal lives,” she added.

She said they made the appeal for saris on social media and religious organisations.

Rampersad volunteers sorted through the saris and selected those which were soft and comfortable for the doek.

“The size of the doeks are also very important. They are sized for children and adults and have an allowance to tighten or to loosen.”

She said she returned to the hospital where she found the cancer patient who inspired this campaign.

“I started at the same hospital, looking for cancer patients and handing out the doeks. It was a welcome relief for the many who could not afford wigs or head gear,” she said.

The organisation makes 250 doeks a week, which are distributed in KwaZulu Natal, Cape Town, the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg. Each patient is given seven doeks every three months.

To donate saries or to assist in putting them together contact Rampersad on 062 865 843

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