Locks of Love; a Chance for a Smile

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:57:48 GMT

By Leah Weaver

Google Hair Donation
Donating hair can restore self-esteem and confidence to those in need

During the first week of Christmas break, I felt that I needed a change in my life, and what could be a better fix than a haircut? I could not decide what I wanted to get done until I remembered that my brother got ten inches of his hair cut off this past summer. He donated his hair to the organization called Locks of Love, and I was going to, as well. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that takes donated hair and provides it to financially disadvantaged children and young adults under the age of 21 affected by long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis, most often alopecia areata, a condition with no known cause or cure. The hair provided helps to restore the confidence and self-esteem of the children so that they may face the world and their peers. In fact, the mission statement of the organization, “To return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children,” is what sold me on the idea of donating to their cause. On the Locks of Love website ( http://locksoflove.org/ ), I found out the requirements to make a hair donation and the appropriate printable form to mail in with the donation. I went with my brother to my hairdresser and waited to be called for that much anticipated appointment, fidgeting all the while. Once my name was finally called, I sprang up to tell Jeff, my hair stylist, what the plan was. We tied my hair back into a ponytail and I heard that SNIP and it was over; fourteen inches of hair was cut from my head in that ponytail. It was nerve-wracking, however, I have no regrets. To know that some young person could get use out of my hair, and maybe even feel beautiful in it, was worth every bit of fear and nervousness. If you or someone you know is interested in donating his or her hair to Locks of Love, here are some things you should keep in mind: · Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable. · Hair that was cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid. · Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable. If the hair was bleached years ago and has completely grown out, it is fine to donate. · Hair must be bundled in a ponytail or braid; loose hair is not acceptable. · They cannot accept dreadlocks, wigs, falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair. · Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is ten inches. · Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails. · Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum ten inches. · Ten inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece. If you are ever looking for a change in your appearance and a haircut seems like the right idea, check if you have ten inches of hair to spare; YOU could be the reason a child smiles!

The Prowler

Locks of Love; a Chance for a Smile