Many women from all over the world (and some men!) are uploading pictures of themselves looking bare faced in order to raise cancer awareness, simply by adding a #nomakeup hashtag to it.
Whilst I am sure deep down that many of the people taking part in this no make up craze mean very well and they probably genuinely believe that their photo is prompting all of their friends to become aware of cancer. The praise that these people are receiving for helping to fight the cause is starting to make the whole thing very uncomfortable.
I find it a little bit confusing to say that you are raising "cancer awareness", who can honestly say in this country that they aren't aware of cancer? We all know it exists. Raising awareness of a particular cancer, or the signs & symptoms of cancer would surely be a better use of time. Many have disputed this and said that it is about more than raising awareness but is actually about fighting cancer. If this new craze is really about fighting cancer then why not do something to raise considerably more money instead, such as being sponsored not to wear make up for a month?
Why not post cancer statistics and symptoms rather than a picture of you with no make up?
Why not post cancer statistics and symptoms rather than a picture of you with no make up?
I saw in the news today that donations to both Cancer Research UK and Macmillian have increased because of this. But I still can't help but wonder how much more could be done if these people who are taking pictures claiming they are passionate about ending cancer actually did something far bigger than taking a photograph.
I find it very uncomfortable reading the comments that people are posting to these photos, congratulating the individual on being so "brave" when all they have done is post a photograph of what they actually look like. This is made worse as it is being associated with cancer, surely the person who has had their body destroyed by the disease and it's treatment is brave rather than a self obsessed person removing their make up? For many people this craze is becoming a bit of an ego boost, with all of their friends commenting on "how beautiful" they look, again I am unsure how this achieves anything meaningful for the fight against cancer. Because if you really think about it, if you don't make a donation to a cancer charity to accompany your photo then all you are really doing is seeking praise and admiration from others for cleaning your face.
Not wanting to be accused of ruining people's fun, our families photos are below. I think they raise more awareness than a picture of us without make up does!
Josh following one of his many operations to insert a VP shunt (looking larger due to steroid treatment!)
Josh showing off his central line so that he could receive over 18 months of chemotherapy (This is one of many central lines, as they needed to be changed regularly)
An attempt to get Josh walking.
Awaiting more chemotherapy
Josh recovering from an operation to place him in a "hip spica" in the hope it would fix his dislocated hips. He spent many months like this, and unfortunately it didn't work.
A week after yet another operation to replace a blocked VP shunt.
Finally aged 5 Josh is now able to eat sufficiently to no longer need to be NG tube fed. (He was fed bolus feeds through this for much of his life up until he was 5)
Josh undergoing proton beam therapy treatment in Jacksonville, Florida,
Josh undergoing proton beam therapy treatment in Jacksonville, Florida,
If you would like to find out more or make a donation, please consider donating to one of these charities below:
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
http://www.cclg.org.uk/
http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/
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