How to Give Hair to Children With Cancer
If you have a ponytail that is 10 inches or more, you can donate hair for a child who has long-term medical hair loss. Children may lose their hair due to chemotherapy to treat cancer, alopecia areata or scalp burns. Donating hair provides the organizations with the supplies they need to make realistic wigs that most closely mimic real hair. The children who receive these hair prostheses gain confidence, a sense of self and normalcy in their life. Two organizations that make these are Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids.
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Instructions
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1
Download, complete and print the Hair Donation Form from the Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids website.
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2
Clean and dry the hair to be donated before it is cut.
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3
Put the hair you want to donate in a ponytail or braid before it is cut. If in a braid, use a ponytail holder at each end of the braid.
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4
Confirm that the ponytail or braid is 10 inches long. Only hair 10 inches or longer can be used for the hair prostheses. You can donate shorter hair, but it will be sold and the money used to help offset the cost of making the wigs.
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5
Cut off the ponytail or braid above the ponytail holder.
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Place the ponytail or braid in a plastic bag, and put it and the Hair Donation Form into a padded envelope.
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Mail to either Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids.
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Tips & Warnings
Pull curly hair straight to measure it.
Layered hair can be used if the longest layer is 10 inches.
Do not send hair swept off the floor.
Hair cannot be previously bleached, but it can be previously colored.
