When compassion meets action, it creates ripples of change — and Mrs. Sara B Cherian is a shining example of this truth. As Trustee of The Cherian Foundation and Campaign Head of Gift Hair Gift Confidence, she has been instrumental in turning a simple gesture — donating hair — into a movement that restores confidence and uplifts spirits.
Lets know more about Sara…
WS: From a businesswoman to a philanthropist and breast cancer survivor — what has shaped your journey the most over the years?
SC: Gift Hair, Gift Confidence- signature campaign of The Cherian Foundation, began in 2014 – long before I was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, I felt empathy for patients; today, I feel a deep, personal connection. I can truly say, I know what it feels like.
During my own treatment, I made it a point to live through every stage consciously – to understand what it must be like in a cancer patient’s shoes. And I realised something: no matter how progressive society seems, it was still difficult to face the public without hair. I was fortunate to have a wig, which meant most people didn’t know I was battling cancer. That experience showed me first-hand what a tremendous confidence boost a wig can be. It strengthened my resolve to take this mission as far and wide as possible – because no woman, man, or child should have to walk this journey alone simply because they cannot afford a wig.
WS: What inspired the “Gift Hair Gift Confidence” campaign, and how has it evolved since its inception in 2014? Tell us about the moments that made this initiative so close to your heart.
SC: When the opportunity to make wigs presented itself, we embraced it wholeheartedly. Our family has been in the hair business for over 50 years, and we were able to draw on the technical expertise of our group concern, Raj Hair, to create beautiful, handcrafted wigs ideally suited for Indian weather conditions.
The Gift Hair, Gift Confidence campaign by The Cherian Foundation began in 2014 as a simple wig donation drive – our very first effort, in partnership with WCC, provided 21 wigs to women undergoing cancer treatment. What started as a small act of compassion has since grown into a movement, touching lives across the country.
In 2017, a turning point came when the Adyar Cancer Institute conducted a study showing that patients who wore wigs responded far better to treatment – not just emotionally, but in their overall recovery – compared to those who didn’t. That evidence validated what we had always felt in our hearts.
Soon, we began receiving calls from hospitals and patients across the country asking if wigs were being provided in other hospitals. At that time, our work was limited to Chennai. But with the success of our wig bank and the backing of scientific proof, we decided to replicate the model in other hospitals. That’s when “Gift Hair, Gift Confidence” truly became a pan-India movement, officially launched at Mount Carmel College in Bangalore in 2018.
In 2023, we made a bold commitment – to provide 10,000 wigs by the end of 2033. From our humble beginnings with one hospital in 2014, we have now grown to 25 partner hospitals across India, including the Tata Group of Hospitals, Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, and the Gujarat Cancer Research Institute. Today, hair donations pour in from donors across the country and around the globe – each strand gifting with it hope, dignity, and the promise of confidence for someone on their journey to healing.
WS: As CEO of Belle & Homme, how have you leveraged your international education and family legacy to revolutionize India’s wig industry?
SC: As CEO of Belle & Homme, I draw on my international education for a global perspective on quality, ethics, and innovation, and on my family legacy for values like trust, resilience, and community service.
Separate from my business role, I lead our social initiative, Gift Hair, Gift Confidence, which provides wigs with a natural partition – designed to suit women from disadvantaged backgrounds who wear a tikka, sindoor, or simply prefer a parting – ensuring dignity and cultural authenticity for every recipient. It is a purely non-profit effort, sustained by the generosity of donors, and runs independently from the work we do at Belle & Homme..
Belle & Homme, launched in 2023, is a retailer of premium hair products. We’ve carried the same commitment to quality into the fashion and lifestyle space, making high-quality hair solutions accessible to all. Our offerings go far beyond wigs – from toppers and seamless patches to customised hair systems – each designed to meet individual lifestyle needs, whether for managing hair loss, enhancing fashion, or expressing personal style.
By keeping our social impact work and our retail venture distinct – yet both driven by the same values – we’ve redefined India’s wig and hair solutions industry, making it both compassionate and cutting-edge.
WS: You’ve impacted thousands through social work — what keeps you motivated to serve, especially after beating cancer yourself?
SC: Beating cancer changes you — it strips life down to what truly matters. For me, it deepened my empathy into something more personal. Gift Hair, Gift Confidence began long before my diagnosis, but after walking that road myself, I no longer just understood the struggle — I had lived it.
We receive hair donations from all over, and each packet often carries words of encouragement from the donors — sometimes even a cheque or a small contribution. On hard days, when resources feel scarce or the weight of the work seems heavy, these gestures become lifelines. And when a donor walks in beaming, or a beneficiary looks in the mirror and smiles… those are the priceless moments that keep us going.
Every wig, every strand of hair, every message of hope reminds me why we do this — so that no one walks this journey alone simply because they can’t afford it. That belief keeps me moving forward, every single day.
WS: How did your personal experience transform your purpose? You’ve worn many hats — entrepreneur, speaker, mother, homemaker. What does ‘balance’ mean to you in today’s world?
SC: My personal experience with cancer was a turning point. Before, I was driven by ambition and ideas — after, my purpose became crystal clear: to use every skill, resource, and connection I have to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. The work I do now is not just a career; it’s deeply personal.
I’ve worn many hats — entrepreneur, speaker, mother, homemaker — and I’ve learned that balance is not about giving equal time to everything, but about being fully present in whatever I’m doing. Some days, the scales tip towards work; other days, towards family or self-care. And that’s okay.
In today’s world, balance is fluid. It’s knowing your priorities, setting boundaries, and allowing yourself the grace to adapt without guilt. My cancer journey taught me that life is too precious to strive for perfection — instead, I strive for presence and purpose in each role I play.
WS: What message would you like to share with young women who want to create social impact while building a successful career? What’s your mantra for living with courage and compassion?
SC: To young women who want to create social impact while building a successful career, I’d say — you don’t have to choose between purpose and prosperity. The two can and should coexist. Start by being clear about your “why,” because that will anchor you through challenges. Learn to listen deeply, act with integrity, and never underestimate the power of small, consistent actions to create lasting change.
Gift Hair, Gift Confidence began as a simple wig donation drive and has grown into a pan-India movement. It’s proof that you don’t need a massive infrastructure or endless resources to start — you just need the courage to take the first step, and the persistence to keep going when it’s hard.My mantra for living with courage and compassion is simple: Lead with your heart, but move with your mind. Courage means stepping forward even when you’re afraid; compassion means ensuring that, in your success, you lift others with you. The real measure of achievement is not just what you build, but how many lives you touch along the way.
Team WS
