Week 12: Locks of Love

What if there was a kid who had permanently lost their hair, so it could never grow back? They may have lost their hair due to a disease, such as cancer? They do have the option of getting a wig. But let's say that there was a young 10-year-old girl who played soccer. Would she really want to wear a wig, always worrying about it falling off? Perhaps every day at school, she worries about the wig falling off and humiliating her, or worse, what if other kids decide to play a prank and pull it off at recess? For these kids, there is a solution that will not compel them to avoid sports, and not cause them worry during school. The solution is a high-quality hair piece from the non-profit organization, Locks of Love.

The hair pieces that Locks of Love provides are made from a mold of the child's head, so the cap is a custom fit, vacuum-sealed. So, kids can play sports and run around at recess without worry. Even more, they can shower and swim with the hair piece still on. It is also removable by breaking the vacuum seal at the temples.

The recipient can choose what color and length of hair they want. Then, strands of donated hair is injected into the silicon base, which is a skin-tone color that the child can also choose. Where does this hair come from? One hair piece takes 6 to 10 donated ponytails, at least 10 inches long-- 10 inches would make a jaw-length hair-piece since 2 inches are used in the manufacturing process.

Why not use synthetic hair? Synthetic hair cannot be colored and it can't be flat-ironed or it will "diffuse" (ehow). Also, human hair can last up to one year with proper care, but synthetic lasts only three months. Human hair will fall flat when it gets wet, like normal hair, but synthetic will retain it's posture-- although this makes synthetic hair convenient to maintain, it would seem to be unnatural looking. Overall, human hair will grant these kids in need a chance to live a normal life just like you and me.

So, what can we do to help this non-profit organization? We can help by donating hair (non-bleached and non-colored, because the chemicals would react in the manufacturing process) : and you do not even have to donate lengthy pieces to help. I'll describe ways to help in terms of hair length.

One can help by donating 0 inches of hair by donating money to help pay for the custom hair pieces that would retail around $3,500 - $6,000 each: Locks of Love will give them for free, or a lower price depending on financial need.

One could donate less than 10 inches of hair in a clean, dry ponytail or braid. It won't be long enough for a custom hair piece, but can be sold to help pay for the costs.

One could donate 10 inches of hair, which would be enough to make a jaw-length hair piece.

One could donate 15 or more inches of hair, which will give recipients the option of choosing a longer-lenghted wig.

So, the next time you are getting a hair cut, why not consider forming a ponytail to cut off instead of letting it get thrown away? If it is under 10 inches, if it's long enough (I don't know the minimum for selling) it might be able to help the costs of Locks of Love hair pieces. It takes a little bit of time to send it in, and if everyone did it, the benefits can add up. Let's help these children live a great life full of everything life has to offer.

* For details about how to send donations/etc., visit the Locks of Love website.

Works Cited

http://www.locksoflove.org/

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5011197_hair-vs-human-hair-weave.html