Pantene and Pİ Women's Cancers Association Announce Meaningful Partnership

Pantene met with Pi Women's Cancers Association for its 'A Long and Strong Life' project at an event held on Thursday, 24 February, attended by Canan Ergüder, Arzu Karataş, Ceren Tonguç and Ayşe Arman. Pantene is coming together again with Pembe İzler Women's Cancers Association within the 'A Long and Strong Life' project to support strong women fighting cancer. Within the scope of the project aimed at raising awareness about women's cancers and the importance of early diagnosis, Pantene aims to continue helping more women feel good about themselves with strong hair through wigs donated to women who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. For years, Pantene has undertaken projects and awareness campaigns about women's cancers. Several years ago, in partnership with Pembe İzler Women's Cancers Association, it donated wigs to women who had lost their hair during chemotherapy. To announce the continuation of the project that has touched the lives of dozens of women to date, Pantene and Pi Women's Cancers Association met at Ulus 29 on Thursday, 24 February. At the event moderated by Ayşe Arman, discussions were held on the importance of early diagnosis, women's cancers and the donation campaign that has touched the lives of hundreds of women, with the participation of P&G Turkey Vice President Ceren Tonguç, Pi Women's Cancers Association President Arzu Karataş and Canan Ergüder. Additionally, a video prepared from messages sent by women who had previously received wig donations as part of the project was screened. Speaking about her own experience at the event, Canan Ergüder said: "When I was diagnosed with cancer, my first priority was to continue working as much as the treatment process allowed and to minimize disruption to my current level. Although the period during which I continued to work was not as long as expected, since we were at the beginning of the pandemic period during the diagnosis, I gave myself to my work as much as I could. Later, what encouraged me most during the treatment process and kept my morale high was of course the support I received from my family and loved ones. Knowing that my husband and son were by my side throughout my treatment is the greatest support, I can say" she said.

"Hair holds a very important place in a woman's life in terms of feeling good and strong"

Pi Women's Cancers Association President Arzu Karataş said: "Consider that thousands of women start chemotherapy every year and after some time they lose their hair. Yet hair holds a very important place in a woman's life in terms of feeling good and strong. The cancer treatment process is a long and demanding one during which women need to feel good and strong even more. That's why hair loss makes the process even more difficult for women fighting cancer. Many women say 'I felt I had cancer when my hair started to fall out!' I felt the same. They note that when their hair fell out, they fully understood they had cancer and after their hair fell out they found it hard to look in the mirror. That's why hair loss for women fighting cancer goes beyond being merely a visible change, merging with health and hope. I also want to thank Pantene for their support in this project," she said. P&G Turkey Vice President Ceren Tonguç commented on Pantene's involvement in the project: "As a hair care brand whose target audience is women, we are very aware of the importance of hair in women's daily lives and its effect on women's self-confidence. We know how much a woman's mood throughout the day can be affected even if her hair cannot be shaped the way she wants before going to work in the morning. With this awareness, within the framework of this project, we aim to provide wig support to strong women undergoing chemotherapy treatment until they regain their own hair, essentially helping every woman feel better about herself when she looks in the mirror," she said. Ayşe Gençmazlum, one of those who received wig support as part of this cooperation, said: "A wig primarily helps you feel good about yourself and supports you during the process of adjusting to this new appearance. There is a continuous gaze at the external appearance of people undergoing chemotherapy. Even if you are not concerned about your outer appearance, at some point concern begins with the gazes coming from outside. I think it's more about protecting yourself than living with the worry of what others might think. That's why a wig is very important first and foremost for feeling good about yourself," she said. Within the framework of the A Long and Strong Life project signed with Pi Women's Cancers Association, Pantene plans to draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis in fighting women's cancers and provide necessary awareness about women's cancers in Turkey. Thanks to the project that has touched the lives of many women fighting cancer since 2020, hundreds of women who lost their hair during chemotherapy will receive wig support until they regain their own hair. The project jointly run by Pi Women's Cancers Association and Pantene, which has been fighting women's cancers since its establishment in 2014 and has been the greatest support for women during and after their treatment process, will support strong women fighting cancer and their families in 2022 with the slogan "Together We Are Stronger." More than 70,000 women are diagnosed with different types of cancer each year in Turkey. Women's cancers, which are among the most dangerous types of cancer, can be easily detected through timely screening. For this reason, early diagnosis is of great importance in fighting women's cancers. For many women undergoing chemotherapy during cancer treatment, one of the most difficult side effects of fighting cancer is losing their hair. The onset of hair loss makes the cancer fighting process even more difficult for women, and many female patients say 'I understood I had cancer when my hair started to fall out.' With the awareness of the important place hair holds in a woman's feeling good about herself, through the project run by Pantene and Pi Women's Cancers Association, women are told "Together We Are Stronger." Wig donations to women in need will be a way of supporting women during this difficult time and strengthening their resolve in their fight against cancer.