By LINDSEY DYE
Provide a child with a sense of self confidence and normalcy by donating ten inches of hair to Locks of Love.
“I donated my hair because I absolutely love children. I will do anything I can to help them when they are dealing with something so dangerous,” Media Specialist Robin Brillante said.
Locks of Love (LoL) provides hairpieces to children 21 years and younger in the United States and Canada. These custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided either free of charge or on a sliding scale based on the organization’s guidelines. Each hairpiece is made from donated human hair.
“I was tired of my long hair and had been looking for a way to be selfless. My sister had donated a year before; she was what inspired me to do it,” junior Haley Guiette said.
The most common misconception is that Locks of Love gives the natural looking wigs to cancer patients suffering from extensive chemotherapy. LoL was formed to help people with the illness of Alopecia, not cancer patients, although cancer patients have benefited from LoL. Alopecia is the medical condition of the loss of hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness.
“I thought about how I would like to contribute my hair to less fortunate people. Donating my hair made me feel really good, like I did something important with my life,” senior Nicole Leveille said.
The hairpieces provided by LoL are different from a synthetic hairpiece because they form a vacuum seal that does not require any tape or glue. Only the wearer of the hairpiece can remove it by breaking the vacuum seal at the temples. The pieces are designed for children suffering long term or permanent hair loss; the vacuum fit can only function when there is no new hair growth.
“I went to my friend’s mom, and she put my hair in a ponytail, and with no warning, she cut. I felt ten pounds lighter. With the hair tie still holding the free hair, I put it in an envelope to ship to Locks of Love. I got a letter a month later thanking me for my donation. I felt fulfilled,” Guiette said.
Recipients are able to choose skin tone and hair color. All pieces are delivered long, so the recipient may style it to compliment his or her facial features. Children can receive up to eight hairpieces to be replaced every 18 months as needed.
Children can swim, shower, play sports and not be worried about someone pulling their hairpiece out. The entire process of receiving a hairpiece takes between four and six months.
“Donating hair made me feel extremely proud, I know some child will have a smile on their face because they don’t feel different,” Brillante, said.
In cases where children are experiencing short term hair loss, usually due to chemotherapy treatments, they receive a synthetic hairpiece, which is a more immediate answer to their needs.
Parents may request a hair piece for their child by visiting www.locksoflove.org or the child may be nominated by friends and family, also by visiting Locks of Love’s Web site.