If you have 10 inches or so of extra hair length and are in the mood for a drastic change or makeover, consider shedding that spare hair for a charitable cause. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hair pieces for children who are under the age of 18 and are financially disadvantaged. These children are suffering from hair loss caused by various conditions such as alopecia areata, radiation damage and severe burns. These conditions often have no known causes or cures so the hair prostheses’ are often a miracle to these kids.
The mission of Locks of Loves is “to return a sense of self-confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated pony tails to provide the highest quality hair prostethics to financially disadvantaged children.” Children who have been affected by hair loss often suffer a loss of self. They are often teased by classmates and are embarrassed by the attention baldness receives. These pieces offer relief and allow kids to get on with their normal lives. Most wigs and other hair pieces are often made for the adult sized head and require adhesives to keep in place that many children find irritating. Locks of Love offers custom made pieces that go on with a vacuum seal so that only the wearer may remove it. This allows the child to play, swim, shower and do gymnastics.
Locks of Love was founded by Madonna Coffman after she developed alopecia in her 20’s due to receiving a hepatitis vaccine. Fifteen years later her 4-year old daughter developed alopecia and lost all of her hair. Madonna has said it was very difficult to deal with her own hair loss, but found it heart breaking to watch her little girl suffer from the very same problem. It’s a misconception that most of the pieces are given the children with cancer. A limited number are, but many children with cancer are able to grow hair again at some point. Children with alopecia and other various conditions are not. They often outgrow the wigs quickly so they are eligible to reapply for them every 18 months. Because of the recipients being growing children and needing several pieces, the need for hair is very great.
If you are interested in donating to the cause, here are a few guidelines you must follow:
- Hair must be 10 inches in length and may be color treated or permed.
- Hair that is bleached or highlighted is NOT acceptable due to the chemical process the hair must go through.
- Hair MUST be bundled in a ponytail or braided and secured with a rubber band.
- Layered hair IS acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches. The shorter hair will be separated out and sold which greatly offsets the cost of making the pieces, which can run anywhere from $3500 to $6000.
- They cannot accept dreadlocks, extensions or synthetic hair.
- Grey hair is also accepted, but will be sold to offset costs as well.
- Hair must be completely dry and placed in a plastic bag and then inside a padded envelope. Please refer to LocksofLove.com for additional details and for a donation form.
