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South Surrey youngster to make most of first cut

Four-year-old Ayva Bains to donate hair from her first haircut to young cancer patients.
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Ajay Bains

In all of her four years, Ayva Bains has never wanted to get her hair cut, worried the job would be done as it was when her dad or brother went for a cut – with a straight razor or clippers.

But the South Surrey girl was all smiles last Wednesday as she talked about an appointment she has booked at Salon Blue in Fleetwood for July 17 – and with good reason.

“I’m gonna donate my hair to the children’s hospital for charity,” Ayva said, explaining her long locks will help “children who don’t have hair and they have special medicine and it comes off.”

Ayva’s mom, Kirren Bains, said her daughter’s hair will be donated to the Wigs for Kids BC program, which assists children who are living with serious illnesses and require a human-hair wig or supplies and medications not covered by MSP.

Bains learned about the program when another girl who donated her hair was showcased on television. After researching Wigs for Kids, she asked Ayva if she would like to make a similar donation.

Having gone with her mom when she last got a hair cut – and discovering that the stylist used scissors – Ayva was excited by the idea, in part because cutting eight inches of her hair would also make her own life a little easier.

“I won’t have to wash my hair (every day),” the soccer enthusiast said. “I don’t like washing my hair, because it takes so long.”

She doesn’t want it too short, however – like brother Ajay’s, for example – “because I’m not a boy.”

Ajay described his sister’s plan to help other kids as “good.”

Bains said for her, the step is “bittersweet.”

“She still has her baby curls at the end,” she said. But, “she’s doing something good with it.

“It’s hair, it’ll grow back.”

A fundraising campaign is underway in support of Ayva’s effort; a goal of $5,000 has been set and Bains is hopeful the tally will reach the halfway mark before next weekend’s cut. As of Wednesday, $1,920 had been donated. The funds will be processed through BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

To pitch in, visit https://shar.es/1Jjv3I



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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