You’re probably familiar with Hair for Hope — the iconic annual campaign that sees brave souls across Singapore shaving their heads in solidarity with children battling cancer.
But have you ever wondered what keeps some people coming back year after year?
Meet Jason Ong. He’s a father of two, a consulting manager in the telecom industry, and one of Hair for Hope’s longest-running ambassadors. For 13 years, Jason has shaved, shared, rallied, and repeated — turning a single act of compassion into a lifelong mission to support families facing one of the toughest battles imaginable.
As Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday, the Children’s Cancer Foundation is spotlighting powerful human-interest stories to kick off Hair for Hope 2025.
And Jason’s journey is one worth hearing — not just for the legacy he’s built, but for the community he’s inspired along the way.
The First Shave and the Unexpected Chain Reaction
Jason first picked up the clippers back in 2008. What started as a simple act of support soon turned into something much bigger. Not only did he keep coming back to shave, but he also began organizing satellite events to grow the movement.
“When I first shaved, my kids were still very young. I don’t think they really understood what was going on,” he recalls.
But over time, the ritual became a teaching moment — a way to pass on values like empathy, resilience, and purpose. You know how it’s usually the organizers who chase people down? In Jason’s case, it was the opposite. His fellow “shavees” (yes, that’s a word) would beat him to the punch—emailing him months in advance to ask when the next satellite event was happening.
That’s when he knew: this wasn’t just a one-off effort. It had become a community.
“Each year when I shaved, I explained to them why I was doing it — to support children with cancer and their families.”
Source: Hair for Hope
In 2010, when Jason organised his first Hair for Hope satellite event, he tried to get his son and daughter — then 10 and 8 years old — to join him on stage.
“I kept pressing them to shave, but they kept refusing,” he laughs.
Until one day, his son surprised him.
“Just before the event, he told me he wanted to shave. I asked him why he changed his mind, and he said a classmate had cancer — he wanted to support him. I was really touched. It meant the message had sunk in.”
That same day, Jason’s daughter joined her brother in solidarity.
“Both of them shaved at the first satellite event. My son continued into his secondary school years, and my daughter shaved again when she was 12 and 16. They’ve stopped shaving for now — they’re quite attached to their hair — but they still help out at events, ushering and setting up. They’re still part of the movement.”
Even as the kids grew older and stopped shaving their heads, they never stopped showing up. These days, they’re right there beside him at the events, helping with logistics—ushering guests, setting up stations, and quietly making things run smoothly behind the scenes.
What Keeps Jason Coming Back?
Motivation is a funny thing. You’d think after 13 years, the enthusiasm might fade. But for Jason, it’s only grown. When people around you believe in a cause so deeply that they nudge you about the next event, that’s something special.
Source: Hair for Hope
He’s seen the campaign evolve, watched his shavees return year after year, and built bonds with strangers who eventually became friends. That kind of community doesn’t just happen—it takes someone like Jason to make it stick.
And if you’re wondering what it’s like to shave your head for the first time, Jason gets the hesitation. Will the hair grow back the same? Will I look weird bald? Valid concerns. But as he likes to say, it’s worth doing at least once—if not for the look, then for the lesson.
More importantly, you’re showing children battling cancer that they’re not alone.
Source: Hair for Hope
Busting the Bald Myths
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, shaving your head is a bold move. And no, it’s not a “get out of shampoo free” card.
“I know many people want to support, but they’re afraid,” he says. “Some worry their hair won’t grow back. Others worry they won’t look good bald.”
His advice? Give it a try — just once.
Source: Hair for Hope
Jason laughs about how people often assume shaving means less effort. But in reality, scalp care is still a thing—especially in sunny Singapore. Even with a smooth head, you’ll need proper washing, sunscreen, and yes, shampoo.
The key message? Don’t let vanity or myths hold you back from doing something good.
Together, We Can… And Should
This year’s theme for Hair for Hope is “Together, We Can” — and it perfectly sums up Jason’s journey.
Through his efforts, Jason has not only supported children with cancer — he’s rallied a community, instilled lifelong values in his kids, and shown what it means to be an everyday hero.
“For anyone going through cancer, or who has a loved one battling it — you are not alone,” Jason says. “Your family is there for you. But beyond that, there’s a big community of people, like us, who are here to support you. We may not know you personally, but we stand with you.”
If Jason’s story moved you, maybe it’s time to take that leap yourself. Hair for Hope 2025 is more than just a campaign—it’s a national movement of solidarity, compassion, and courage.
Don’t worry about the bald head. Worry about the kind of impact you want to leave behind.
Because who knows? Maybe next year, it’ll be your story we’re sharing.
