Would you shave your head to support someone you love?

[Pumpkin3826]

If someone you knew lost their hair whether due to chemo or just genetics, would you shave your head to show you support them?

[Sarahlabyrinth]

No, I would rather support them in other, practical ways.

[Kake]

I wouldn't either. I think it's a grand gesture, which is not my style. I'm not even sure that many people would actually find it comforting. I think my outlook if I was in that position would be that it would be bad enough that I had to loose my hair.

[browneyedsusan]

I would if it helped them. My best friend has cancer and lost her hair. I offered to shave, and she recoiled in horror. It would have made her feel worse. I wear my hair in a low, tight bun when I go with her to chemo. She enjoys my hair too.

[lapushka]

I think it's totally "superficial", IMMHO (don't kill me for saying that), to shave your head in support. It's like showing off to the world saying, *see* I support that person. There are plenty of other, quite unseen and much more effective ways to show what I call *true* support, and that is by being there for that person, showing you care by being close, helping each and every day, etc.

I have a disability. I have had people make a giant fuss about "helping" when other people saw, but as soon as their backs were turned, they just up and stopped caring. That's not how it goes. That's what I mean by being "superficial". Thought I needed to explain that bit!

[Dendra]

I had to vote no. It's something I would have done in the past but now that I like my hair and use caring for it as a way to nurture myself, it would leave me too sad to chop it off. And I don't see how that would help anyone. If it was my mum and she really asked me to do it I would, but she wouldn't ask that.

I do have a lot of respect for people who do though, if it helps the person they're supporting.

[Waveurly]

I had to vote "no" as well. I've lost my dad to cancer and even though he is not a woman, I am very sure he would not have been happier if I would have shaved my hair off too. I've had shaved hair in some point in life and do not wish to go through that process again. I'd prefer to help with actions and make someone's life more light and bearable, instead of showing off that I 'support' someone by shaving off my hair. It would be just a symbol and is not truly helpful in my opinion.
It might sound harsh, but I think something as symbolic as shaving off hair, is so superficial when a loved one is facing a life threatening disease. I can't think of another situation in which it would be able to show such support.
Thinking of it, if it was my (future) child, I guess it would depend of the situation, but I'd rather think of other solutions to cheer someone up or support them

[Cg]

I have helped and will continue to help chemo friends in actual, useful ways. Melodramatic posturing just isn't my style.

[lostchyld]

No, because it's something I have done for myself for fun. It's not something I would consider supportive.

[lapushka]

My grandma (dad's mom) came down with cancer in her 60s, 70s, breast cancer. It later turned an inoperable brain tumor (but they tried anyway), which turned her into a zombie (she wasn't herself anymore).

Then 2 of my aunts (by marriage) had breast and pancreatic cancer. Tough cases. One aunt also turned brain tumor (breast cancer). And the other aunt went pretty quickly I'm sad to say...

Then a friend of my youngest aunt (mom's sister) got breast cancer - also turned brain tumor after she had stopped her 10 year meds to keep the cancer away (the doctors didn't deem it necessary anymore, yeah, that happened).

What is it with breast cancer turning brain tumor?