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Across the Fence:  Has anybody ever donated their hair?  |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 07:48:40 AM
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Two years ago this spring, I had nearly 12" of my hair cut off and donated it to 'Locks of Love', a program that makes wigs for children who've lost their hair because of chemo/radiation. I followed their website directions to the letter...tied it in a tight pony tail and had that cut off all at once. Put it in a plastic baggie and put that in a large envelope with a mailing label I printed off. But I never heard anything from them at all. I sort of wanted to at least know that it got there. And I've been planning to donate my hair again this spring. But I'm really tired of having it long. And I'm even more tired of not being able to at least highlight it(sort of helps my winter blues). You can't do that if you donate it. Has anybody else donated their hair? If so, did they tell you it got there? I'm not a 'girlie' person. Highlighting my hair is probably the only thing I do and that's mostly because it cheers me up in the dark days of winter here!
Decisions, decisions.....
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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brook
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
brook
seattle
washington
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 07:59:32 AM
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Hello,
Yes, have donated my to locks of love and I did hear back from them with a letter and certificate. I think it's a great place to donate but there may be other places now.
Farmgirl Sister #65
Take good care.
=^..^=
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 08:12:32 AM
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| My brother donated his. He was always pretty conservative and we couldn't understand why he was all of a sudden letting his hair grow long at age 50. Two years later right after he cut it he told us it was for Locks of Love. Shocked all of us. |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 08:54:59 AM
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Yes, 3x. I like long hair, but I have thick hair and here in Texas, that equals a wet wool blanket on my head for most of the year. Find a salon that is willing to cut your hair for free, since you are donating. Ask them to get you a confirmation they received it. Good luck!!! : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 09:08:00 AM
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Hi all. I've donated my hair before also to Locks of Love. I don't remember getting a letter or a certificate. However, my attitude about this process has COMPLETELY changed since Aria got sick. I've been in the pediatric oncology world now for 13 months and I can tell you that I have not once ever seen a child wearing a wig! They love to wear hats, bandanas or just be bald. For most of these kids, hair loss is fairly temporary. In other words, they are not bald for years and years. Most of the kids are bald for a fews months maybe a little more and then suddenly their hair starts growing back. Aria was bald for 3 months and then we started seeing fuzz coming in and then hair and now 4 months after the start of that she has a full head of curly beautiful hair! It is amazing!
It got me thinking about what it really means to send some hair to an organization who supposedly makes wigs for kids. What is the message we're telling kids. It isn't ok to be bald? We have to try to hide it somehow? You need to feel embarrassed by your baldness which is due to medication that is helping to save your life? You need to fit in when you are already so different and separate? I know NONE of us think this when we send our hair off. I never did. I wanted to cut my hair and do something with it and sending it for wig making that would go to innocent kids seemed fabulous! But now that I've experienced it in a very personal way I have a different view. Even the teenagers, the highschool girls whose vanity we so desperately try to protect, don't wear wigs as far as I have seen. They are much stronger than us. These kids teach us so much about what is really truly and deeply worthy and valuable.
Now kids who are bald for other reasons (there is a medical condition where people lose large clumps of hair..I can't remember name...alopecia...sp? something) where their baldness will last and last, well, then, I have a different attitude. Certainly adult women are very sensitive about losing their hair and wigs are a wonderful temporary fix.
I've never done any research on this organization but it now has me wondering....I don't think making wigs for kids is a bad thing per se. I just think the message for kids going through treatment where baldness is temporary is something we need to be careful about..
That's my 2 cents! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 09:47:19 AM
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| Both my granddaughters have donated their hair. However, I love hearing stories about kids that have lost their hair and wear their baldness like a badge of courage. heart warming too, when all their friends shave their heads to match. |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 09:57:33 AM
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Julia,
You've addressed something I've always wondered about. Even the St Jude's telethons never show a kid with a wig, so where is all this hair really going? Now, if they said for cancer patients as a whole, it would make sense. Even then, seems that most cities have wigs and any other needed help available through the Cancer Society. The generous thought is wonderful, but we don't always know "the rest of the story".
My private emails to you are still bouncing, will try again today.
Ronna |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 10:36:52 AM
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| Speaking of donating hair, I found a couple of wigs in my grandma's spare room closet a few weeks back and was wondering if they would be accepted for donation anywhere? I think she wore them occasionally in the late 60s, just for fashion. They look pretty well made, I think they are real hair. Anybody ever heard of donating a wig? |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 11:01:49 AM
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Amie,
Contact the local Cancer Society. Used to be a thrift shop in Reno that accepted them, had them cleaned and styled and they were free to cancer patients. They should know how/who handles it in your area. |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 11:26:20 AM
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That's what I did with my hair when I cut it off New Year's Eve. I first took it to a salon down in Boise assuming all salons sent hair to Locks of Love, but but it turns out that most do not(which I found shocking and sad - after all how hard could it be to send it?). So, I looked them up online and sent it to them in the manner they required. They did send me a card praising me for it, but I didn't keep it. I only sent it because it seemed such a shame to throw away all that hair when someone could actually use it(must be the frugal farmgirl mentality!).
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
[size=1]My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com [size=1] |
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HeathersStitches
True Blue Farmgirl
98 Posts
Heather
Lancaster
OH
USA
98 Posts |
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twzlrwho
True Blue Farmgirl
199 Posts
christina
dewitt
va
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 12:01:42 PM
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I have but it was through a hair dresser so I don't know about a certificate or anything.
Christina
Work like you don't have to, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like nobody is watching :) |
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lovelady
True Blue Farmgirl
533 Posts
Toni
Indiana
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 12:58:02 PM
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Here is an interesting article about hair donations. It is a little dated, so I am not sure what the situations are now with these organizations. Overall I think it is a great idea and hope that the donations are going where they are intended.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/fashion/06locks.html |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 4:01:38 PM
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Thanks for that info Toni. Locks of Love sends the hair to the manufacturer, who in turn sells them back a wig for a reduced price of $1000? Just does not seem right. Another point of checking out a charity and finding out how much from donations goes for expenses.
Details are important. |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 4:29:08 PM
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$1000?!!! And that's the REDUCED price?!!! How could it possibly cost that much (reduced or not)? Has ANYONE ever heard of paying that much for a wig? How could they gouge a charitable organization like that and still sleep at night? That's just sick and wrong.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
[size=1]My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com [size=1] |
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Janneane Hazlip
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
Janneane
Fort Scott
Kansas
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 6:44:23 PM
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| Several years ago I knew a 10 year old with cancer. Her treatment was such that her hair was gone for a long period of time. She wore a wig. It was cute the way she wore it half the time lop-sided. Someone told me once that these wigs made from real hair have to be sewn one hair at a time...can you imagine? Does anyone know if that is a fact? Janneane |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 7:22:38 PM
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| Lisa, my though exactly, can't imagine a wig costing that much when the hair has been donated. |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2009 : 06:13:49 AM
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Well, ladies, this forum never disappoints me. Thanks for all the thought provoking input. I talked to my friend who had breast cancer and she told me that she paid 500.00 for her wig and was never told by her oncologist or anyone on her health care team that she could get a free one from the Cancer Society(the ones they give away are not necessarily human hair, but ones that have been donated by other people.). Her insurance refused to pay for the first wig. I don't know how an ordinary person could afford to pay 1,000. for a child's wig. I have to think about this more. A lot more.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2009 : 06:26:31 AM
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| Janice, I was trying to remember what my hair dresser told me specifically last summer, when I got 12 inches cut off, and wanted to donate it. My salon had stopped doing the program because the folks at Locks of Love (at least locally) weren't processing the hair for the charities. They wouldn't collect it, or when they did, they threw it out. That didn't make me feel to wonderful, so I didn't inquire about any other programs. |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2009 : 06:46:07 AM
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| $1000.00 may seem like a lot for a wig, but you have no idea how labor instensive it is to make a human hair wig. There is so much prep before the hair can even be used much less constructed into something wearable, also the amount of hair that is needed for one wig. My mother was a hair stylist and worked closely with a wig maker and you would be shocked at the work involved. |
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tangledthreads
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Michelle
Middle Tennessee
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2009 : 10:09:13 AM
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Hi.
I donated twice to Locks of Love, both times received a postcard back thanking me for my donation. Both times I mailed it to them myself. I have heard that the extra nice long healthy hair gets sold to companies that make extentions as a way to fund Locks of Love orginization.
Donating is a great thing, I am thinking about it again but my hair has just finally getting some length to it again after donating 12 inches in 2006 and 2007 so I might just let it grow for a while!
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´tangledthreads #85
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2009 : 2:19:14 PM
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I had 10" cut off 14 months ago (very thick long red hair) and I looked online and sent it in myself. I didn't want any recognition so I didn't give them my address to send me anything.
I'm not so sure after reading this thread, that I want to give my hair anymore. I'll have to research it when the time comes again. If it isn't going to be for what I thought, then what's the point?
I'm really glad you have all put in your 2cents so I have food for thought and investigation.
Thanks ladies.
Cindy
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
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Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 8:42:11 PM
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My DD and I both donated our hair a few years back. Mine was at my waist...oh, but so much work. Anyway, before going under the scissors, I looked up what I could on LFL. Contrary to popular belief, I was informed, they sell some hair to raise funds, and the natural wigs are not for chemo patients, who, as mentioned so wonderfully, are Super Strong Individuals :), but for the folks with alopecia (sp?) or other permanent hair-loss issues. I found that very interesting, and whack...with a smile. Figured it was going to help me, might as well help someone else too and teach my DD about giving (she joined me on her own, I loved her hair! But loved her the more for donating it at 6 yrs. old...so giving!
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
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Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 8:46:32 PM
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Another reason chemo patients don't really like the wigs is they are itchy to sensitive skin. (that's what the locks for love website said anyway.)
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
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Across the Fence: Has anybody ever donated their hair? |
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Has anybody ever donated their hair?
