When we get back from vacation, I want to donate my hair
That was how the conversation between my 13 year old daughter and I started before we left for vacation. She had been growing her hair out for 2 years. Her hair was down to her butt. I had enjoyed watching her over the past few years learn to style her hair. She’s become really good at it, better than I was at her age. She’d learned to braid it so that it was wavy the next day. She enjoyed putting it up in a bun and just hanging out casually. She is a child who thinks of others, so I shouldn’t been surprised when she brought up donating hair.
We talked about how we wanted to donate to an organization who didn’t charge kids for the wigs. After doing research, we found that not all hair donated is given to kids in need for free. Some site require the recipient pay for the wig. We selected Wigs for Kids in Ohio to donate her hair too. They provide wigs to children who have suffered hair loss for various reasons for free.
Donating hair – getting started
We registered and printed the form to include with the hair we donated. My mom is a beautician so she could help us collect and cut the hair properly. Wigs for Kids also provides a link to find a salon in your area. I also think if you have a good relationship with your stylist, they would be thrilled to help you with this process.
We measured her hair and placed rubber bands at the cut points and put additional rubber bands to keep the hair from getting tangled. We placed the hair in a zip type bag so that it would not get tossed around in the mail. The envelope was labeled and sent it on it’s way.
Afterwards, my daughter got her hair trimmed and styled and was thrilled with her new look. Of course she shared her new look with her friends and the story of how she donated her hair. It took 2 years for her to grow it out (your hair grows about 1/2″ every month). I am so very proud of her decision to help others.
Have you ever donated or consider donating your hair?
I would encourage you to work with a company that does not charge the recipients for a wig. Wigs for Kids does take financial donations as well. It costs around $1800 to make a wig from what I read on their site.
what you need to know before donating hair:
- find a site that you are comfortable with donating your hair to
- check to see who they provide wigs to and if there is a fee
- make sure the hair donated is 12 inches long (or longer)
- the hair cannot be chemically treated or colored
- dreadlocks are not accepted
- the hair must be clean and dry
- you can donate multiple times as long as your hair is long enough
Note: I was not paid for this story. I felt the need to write it to inspire to bring awareness to this type of giving.
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