Hair Donations

Hair donations can benefit those who need it most – namely cancer patients and other terminally ill individuals who feel better when they feel beautiful.

Consider contributing to cancer research charities

Most of us don’t really give much thought to our hair once it is washed and styled in the morning. We throw it back in a ponytail or wear it down and styled for a special occasion, and that is the extent of our thinking. However, when one loses hair due to an illness or medical treatment, the subject of hair can become much more consuming. We all consider the condition of our hair to be part of how we look and present ourselves to the world – and when that privilege is taken away, the results can feel devastating.

Hair donations allow organizations to offer wigs to those who are lacking, and to bring up their self esteem to a level where they will feel more beautiful than ever before. Wig recipients come from all different backgrounds, from older men to little children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Burn victims also lose their hair in some cases, and as a wig recipient, they can reconstruct who they were physically. If you are able to make a hair donation, you will be making a difference in the life of someone you may never physically meet, but the hope you provide them will carry on.

Every organization has different standards, but usually the basic criteria are the same for hair donations no matter where you go.

• Hair must measure approximately 8 to 10 inches from the cutting point to the bottom
• Hair should be clean and completely dry at the time of the cut, and before it is mailed in
• You must have your hair in a ponytail or braid before cutting

If you choose to go through a well-known donation group such as Locks of Love, then you need to mail your hair into their Florida mailing address, which is listed on their website. Locks of Love donates hair to children who have lost their own hair to a medical condition and cannot afford to purchase a wig on their own.

You may be asking yourself, is there really a continual need for hair donations? The answer is a resounding yes, as many illnesses cause continual hair loss. For some, the hair loss is permanent, while others’ hair will re-grow as the disease is cured. Just a few of the illnesses that cause hair loss include:

• Alopecia – an auto-immune disorder that disables hair follicles
• Cancer
• Loose Anagen Syndrom – a condition where hair is so thin, it does not grow in enough to produce a full head of hair

There are many other causes of hair loss, such as the aforementioned incidents of burns, animal attacks and other unforeseen circumstances.

Outside of Locks of Love, there are other groups to donate to when you’re ready for that big hair cut. Pantene has a hair donation program that benefits women and helps to restore their feeling of self-worth. Like any other organization, they have their own set of guidelines, so check out their website before going to the salon.

If you feel led to donate specifically to children, try Wigs For Kids, which will make your hair donation into a beautiful wig for a little girl.

Some hair cannot be used for wigs. If you mail in damaged or over-processed hair, then chances are these groups will sell it or throw it away. When considering your hair for donation purposes, realize that if you don’t like your hair, chances are either a child or adult won’t be too happy with it either. Just like anyone else, people with severe illness want to look their best and feel good because of it.

With that being said, if your hair is bleached (including highlights), over processed from being dyed repeatedly, is graying significantly, or is so fine or coarse in texture that it cannot stay in a proper ponytail, then hair donation may not be for you. If you’d still like to make a difference, consider writing a check to support one of these great groups with a monetary donation instead.

• Tracking Charitable Donations for Taxes
• Fundraising Strategic Plan
• Request for Donation Letters

• List of Nonprofit Organizations
• Furniture Donation Pick Up
• Sample Letters Asking for Donations
• Samples of Non Profit Fundraising Letters
• Samples of Thank You Letter for Donations