SheKnows : SheKnows Cares : Breast Cancer Awareness : Donating your hair to cancer patients

Donating your hair to cancer patients

Get a short 'do
& do good too!
Kori Ellis

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Do you want to cut your long locks into a fabulous short 'do? As the weather heats up a lot of women are sporting shorter hairstyles. If you are cutting your long hair, don't just sweep it away into the trash. Instead, you can donate your hair to a worthy cause.
Hair donation


Many patients lose their hair due to cancer treatments. When a person loses their hair, they often lose some self-esteem too. That's why donating your hair to create a natural looking wig for a person in need is such a great idea.

Hilary Swank before or afterOscar-winning actress Hilary Swank grew her hair long and healthy specifically to donate it to the cause. She cut it herself (on Oprah, no less) -- and you can see how she looked a couple months before and after in the photos at right!

Donating hair for cancer patients is both easy and rewarding. You will feel good knowing that your short hairstyle has helped out someone who really needs it.

If your local hair salon doesn't have a hair donation program, you can still donate by sending your hair yourself through the mail to a national program.

If you want to donate, here are some hair donation programs that always welcome more contributors.


Locks of Love

Locks of Love takes all different hair colors and types, except grey. Your hair needs to be at least 10 inches long and sent in as a ponytail or braid. Locks of Love uses the hair to create natural looking wigs for children that would not normally be able to afford one. Visit locksoflove.org to watch a step-by-step video on how to cut, package and send in your hair.


Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Beautiful lengths is a hair donation program in both the United States and Canada. Hair must be at least 8 inches long. It can be colored with vegetable dyes and semi-permanent hair color, but it can't be bleached, permanently colored or otherwise chemically treated. It also can't be more than 5 percent grey. Visit the Beautiful Lengths website to learn more about donating your hair to women in need.


Wigs for Kids

This hair donation program creates free wigs for kids. They require at least 12 inches of clean dry hair in a ponytail or braid. Help out a child in need by donating your hair. Check out their website for hair photos and other information about donating your hair.


More cool ideas and information about hairstyles:

Kori Ellis is an editor and writer based in San Antonio, TX, where she lives with her husband and two labs, Yogi and Deuce. At SheKnows, she contributes articles to the Beauty & Style channel and several other sections. Additionally, Kori has been published in dozens of magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide, writing about everything from wedding planning to fantasy sports. She's the Senior Editor at b5media.com and the guide to Accessories at About.com.
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Comments
By alejandra meza Nov 19, 2009

i have tons of hair one i had since pre k and one that i cut just now please help me find where i can donate it

By Adri Oct 18, 2009

@Scott--I'm sorry, but really? If you want to make a pitch for something you're trying to do, please, please, PLEASE use correct spelling and grammar! Not many people will be willing to trust a person who is not capable of simply choosing the correct word to use in a sentence! I wouldn't give you my hair, or anything else. If you can't spell, how am I supposed to believe that you can organize an effective charity? I admire your desire to do something great to help people, but maybe you need to find someone else to do your advertising(spamming!).

By pam harrell Oct 15, 2009

My sister, a survivor, had breast cancer. She had one breast removed. During her chemo she lost all her hair. Also my father, also a cancer survivor, lost his hair during chemo. My question, is there a place to donate my hair. I have let it grow for awhile now. About 11 inches to donate right now. Problem being my hair is gray with very little dark brown hair. Is there a place that will take that much gray hair? You can contact me at wolfmaiden3@aol. Thank you.

By NDB Oct 15, 2009

My mother has lung cancer and I'd like to cut my hair and have it made into a wig for her. Does anyone know how I can make a wig for my mom? Thank you!

By Scott Oct 2, 2009

Hello, I am a professional Santa involved in the Santa Claus movement, a type of global charity campaign whose ultimate goal is to set the precedent that every time the image of Santa Claus is used, a portion would go to charity...Many charities will benefit, and that is why I came on hear...I would like to get involved in a campaign where many Santas donate their hair right after Christmas, the same hair that brought many smiles the previous month...Who knows, maybe some people might like to where Santa hair, and what it represents...If anyone has any information, or want to learn more about the Santa Movement, please feel free to contact me at bananas9205@yahoo...With a smile!!

By EVELYN ARCHIBALD Oct 1, 2009

IM THINKING OF CUTTING MY HAIR AND DONATING IT, BUT I DONT KNOW WHERE TO DROP IT OFF OR SENT IT TO. THANKS.

By Jo Cooper Sep 28, 2009

My son is 11 years old. He has been growing his hair for over a year. His hair is layered - about 8" long and less. The school he is going to is having picture day and he really wants it cut for that. I know he is so close and if it wasn't for picture day I think I could have convinced him to keep going. But he really doesn't want to have long hair for his class picture. - he has been mistaken for a girl a few times. Can the hair still be used if he cuts it now? My hairdresser suggest to make many ponytails and cut his hair very short -which he wants to do. Please let me know where I can sent it. We live in Ontario, Canada. Thank-you

By Nima Sep 26, 2009

I have very long black hair which I want to donate for cancer patients or children with cancer. I live in San Jose, California. I have over 12inches of hair to donate. Where should I send the hair for this purpose??? please reply. Thanks.

By elijah Sep 15, 2009

I want to donate my hair. I am a man and I would have to get ride of it anyway so email me some info.

By Tabata Luana b Duarte Sep 3, 2009

Gostaria de receber doação de cabelo!!!!Obrigado desde Já.

By nicole barnett Aug 12, 2009

had my hair cut today about 10 inches cut off ive decided to donate to those who could use it for wigs where would i send it and what else do i need to do?? many thanx luve nic xx

By nicole barnett Aug 12, 2009

had my hair cut today about 10 inches cut off ive decided to donate to those who could use it for wigs where would i send it and what else do i need to do?? many thanx luve nic xx

By CARI Aug 8, 2009

padeci de cancer de mama gracias a dios y al cuidado de mi madre sali adelante pase x 18 qiimioterapias quisera donar mi peluca q ha stado en mi ya casi 11 meses

By kaylee Aug 6, 2009

one of my friends has cancer and she is losing her hair is it possible to donate my hair to her

By luis renvill Jul 31, 2009

hello i play baseball and i'm in the 12th grade. due to baseball and my senior project i am writing about donation. god has blessed me with curly hair and i want to pass my hair to someone in need. i live in fayetteville nc. could you please direct me how to donate my hair to someone special with cancer. thank you. luis renvill

By Paul Clester Jul 30, 2009

I have long Brown hair would like to donate i am in phoenix arizona Phone number 602-299-0596 Please contact me i have beuttiful hair i wish to bless some cancer patients with temp. hair the reason i say temp. is i believe when they put the wig on gods healing power falls on them any way i believe in miricles not magic.

By Yolanda Martinez Jul 30, 2009

Hi my name is yolanda martinez i have my douther she is 8 years old she does not likes longhair she let her hair grow just to donat to kids with cancer.we are from Bakersfield ca she is very exsaded that shes makeing a little girl happy with her hair .The only thing she wants is a picture of the little girl thats going to have her hair she wants to show it to her paster from church and friends .I know your facility is in Forida i dont know the address please send us the address as soon possible to my e-mail my douthers hair was cut on 7-29-09 thank you

By Mariana Jul 26, 2009

Hi My name is mariana Guzman and im 15 years old i whant to donate my hair to cancer,but i also whant to get highlights can i? or not until i donate them? I also dont konw were to donate it at Im in Newton Ks. Thanks^^

By dan harvey Jul 24, 2009

i have about 8 inches. i would like to know where i can donate it. i live in kalamazoo michigan. i would like it to be used here in michigan. please help

By lala Jul 11, 2009

Hello there, my 6 years old son had been saved up to 6" hair long to donate. where do I send it to? I did before for locks of love, there requirement is 10". I need your advise. Thank you

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