Have you ever thought about making a change to your hair? Have you ever thought about cutting it off and donating it? Well, this is your sign to do it!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which makes it’s the perfect time to donate your hair to a good cause.Â
Why should you donate your hair?Â
Donating is an easy way to raise awareness for breast cancer, and you’ll be helping create a wig for those who are suffering from hair loss. According to Clarence D. Moore in the Pharmacy Times article, Hair Loss Due to Cancer Treatment, around 65% of those who have cancer will lose their hair due to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.Â
How to donate?Â
First, start by measuring your hair; it has to be between 8-14 inches. Most places do not accept hair that has been bleached or dyed.
Then look for an organization that you find fit to donate your hair to. As someone who has donated hair four times, I recommend Wigs For Kids if your hair is 12 or more inches. If you only want to donate around 8 inches, try donating to the Children With Hair Loss organization. Both organizations give children these wigs -for free!
After you found your organization and your hair is long enough, it is time to cut it! You can go anywhere to get your hair cut, or even do it at home. Whatever organization you choose will have directions on their website detailing how to do it. After you follow their steps all you have left to do is send it in.Â
Why I chose to donate?Â
I started my hair journey in 2016, after understanding more about cancer. My Aunt Susie, who I loved and admired, was suffering from stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer. As a 7th grader, I didn’t understand much but wanted to help. My sisters and I each grew our hair over 14 inches, chopped it off, and donated it to Locks of Love.Â
During the summer going into my first year of high school, my aunt put up a great fight, but sadly lost that fight on August 2nd. During this time, I continued to grow my hair until the following March. During the celebration of St. Baldrick, I donated 10 inches of my hair to the Wigs For Kids organization.
The third time I donated was October of my junior year of high school, in order to raise awareness for cancer. I donated 8 inches to Children With Hair Loss, which as I previously mentioned, provides children with wigs for FREE! I donated to them again for the 4th time in August of 2021 before coming to college.Â
My aunt wore wigs, especially when she went into public and wanted to feel like her old self. If you like the way you look with your hair, imagine how excited someone would be to receive your hair.
I loved the experience, and if you have the hair to donate and make someone’s day, then I recommend doing it!Â