The Gift of Hair?

Hair- we use it as fashion, protection and warmth but have you had to face the thought of losing your hair? Perhaps if your aging you've dealt with the comb full of hairs or have noticed some thinning in areas. Most of us will be faced with some loss sooner or later.
Patients undergoing chemo know the trauma of losing their hair oh so well. It's a trauma for many because we generally wrap our identity around our hair. We cut, color, and style in an attempt to look and feel our best and create that appearance of being well kept. With our dad having to battle cancer twice we know how even at 80 years old it can be hard when the inevitable happens.

This blog is about a 10 year old girl who decided to give her hair to Locks of Love, http://www.locksoflove.org/, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Her name is Meredith and had been growing her hair for around three years when she decided she wanted to do something for someone else
by giving 10 inches of her hair. Many hair dressers offer to cut hair free if donating it to one of the various hair donation organizations- as did Lori Greenberg from LA Cuts. She feels it's an honor to help someone in this selfless act and welcomes those interested.

After getting her hair cut, Meredith experienced the unusual difference in the weight of her hair but after getting over the initial loss I couldn't keep her away from the mirror. Before we left the shop she told me she didn't want to get it cut again until the next time she can donate. A giver in the making!

What are you doing to extend your hand to others?
Each of us have the power to change someones life regardless of our age, abilities or income. All that is needed is the desire! Send us your stories so that we can post them to encourage others.

(Various hair donation organizations have different stipulations for hair donations so please research the different sites that best suit your needs.)