What You Need To Know Before Donating Your Hair

There are several things you need to know before donating your hair. I know because I decided to do this in honor of my cousin and through the process this is what I learned.

BALD IS BEAUTIFUL

Bald is beautiful and when it comes to hair, like Randy Travis sings in his song Forever and Ever, Amen….

“But honey, I don’t care, I’m not in love with your hair
And if it all fell out well I’d love you anyway.”

My cousin Martha has been such a trooper about her chemo treatments. She doesn’t complain about losing her hair and those of us who know her know that in the scheme of things hair loss just isn’t at the top of the list of things to worry about. True beauty comes from within and anyone who knows Martha, knows she is beautiful.

 

Having said that I also know that while hair loss isn’t the worst thing about chemo, it’s one more bad thing I wish didn’t happen to people I love.

Organizations Who Help

I knew that there were organizations that accepted donated hair to make wigs for chemo patients but what I didn’t know until recently is that they accept color treated hair. So Martha, there are lots of things I can’t do for you but I can grow hair. I wanted to tell you last week when we were together but we were so busy just enjoying each other and the mountains and celebrating your retirement that I decided to wait.

Growing hair in honor of Martha’s breast cancer fight seems like such a small thing to do but I hope it will remind her that while I can’t fight the battle for her…I’m right there with her, heart to heart, soul to soul. My hair is your hair, Martha. I don’t know how long it will take but I’m going to give it a shot. Hair is just hair but it’s a way of showing I care…and I do.

This has been a big week for Martha. She got a new grandson. Isn’t he adorable?

This little boy makes her the Nana of 8! And believe me, she is an awesome nana!

What You Need To Know Before Donating Your Hair

If you would like to know more about donating your hair in honor of someone you know here are the organizations that accept hair and the requirements:

· Your hair must be donated in a ponytail or braid.
· The ponytail must measure the minimum required length from one end to the other.
· Hair must be clean and dry, placed in a plastic bag and sent by mail.

Wigs For Kids
· Hair must be at least 12 inches long (if curly, it can be pulled straight to measure 10 inches)
· Do NOT accept colored, highlighted, bleached or permed hair
· Wigs are donated to children under 18
· Wigs donated due to hair loss from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Alopecia, Trichotillomania, burns and other medical reasons
· More info here

Locks of Love
· Hair must be at least 10 inches long (if curly, it can be pulled straight to measure 10 inches)
· Accept colored or permed but not BLEACHED (highlights)
· Wigs are donated to children under 21
· Wigs donated due to hair loss from the following : Alopecia, Cancer, Ectodermal Dysplasia-A, Loose Anagen Syndrome, Trichotillomania, Telogen Effluvium, and Trauma
· Hair that can’t be used will be sold to offset manufacturing costs
· Print out donation form here

Pantene Beautiful Lengths
· Hair must be at least 8 inches long
· Do NOT accept chemically treated hair (bleach, dye, perm, highlights, chemically straightened)
· Do NOT accept hair that is over 5% grey
· Wigs donated to women of all ages
· Wigs donated to women with hair loss due to cancer treatment
· Partnership with the American Cancer Society
· More info here