“It’s just hair.”
I said that to a friend years ago after she got, in her mind, a terrible haircut. I’ve said it dozens of times over the years to people who hate their hair, are having bad hair days, or who have suffered at the hands of an inexperienced or overzealous hairdresser. It wasn’t until my grandmother was diagnosed with Lymphoma five years ago that I realized it wasn’t just hair for some people.
My grandma underwent treatment, and began to lose her hair as many cancer patients do. Alopecia (also known as hair loss) is a side effect of radiation therapy and chemotherapy as the treatments harm the cells which cause hair to grow. It was something that was unexpectedly emotional. For who? Perhaps for all of us in our ways, but especially for her. She hated not having hair so my aunt and I picked out a wig for her so she could feel “normal” while out and about. I’m happy to report that my grandma is in full remission, and has all of her own hair now.
There is a certain helplessness a person feels when their loved one struggles with a serious illness. It is not your own battle to fight, and you are not one of the medical practitioners aiding in the treatment process. You are both directly and indirectly involved, and it leaves you feeling like there should be something more you can do. You just want to help something or someone.
I took to the internet to find my something or someone, and stumbled across Locks of Love, an organization with which I was already familiar.
Credit: Locks of Love
From their website:
“Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.”
That was it. That was the thing I wanted to do. Sadly, my hair was bleached to high heaven from highlights, and was in no shape to be donated. I spent the first two years growing out the color, the next year getting my hair in good condition, and the last two years growing it out so that I could meet the minimum donation length of 10 inches.
SWF Seeking Deep Conditioner
I made an appointment at my favorite salon to do the cut, and anxiously awaited the chop chop of the scissors. I wasn’t nervous at all leading up to my haircut, but I’ll admit that I did have a few butterflies in my stomach over it. Not because I was afraid of losing hair length, but because the thing I had committed five years to would soon be coming to an end.
Nerves of steel
I brought in a bunch of pictures of hairstyles, talked it over with my stylist, and she measured out my hair. Initially I only wanted to donate 10 inches, but at the last second I told her I wanted to cut off as much as I could. She began snipping away, and joked that she’d have to sharpen her shears after she was done cutting through my ponytail. Thin hair has never been a problem of mine. When I got home and stretched out the hair, we ended up cutting off 14 inches of hair tip to tip.
My little pony
The number one question I’ve gotten since I cut it is, “How did it feel?” Pure happiness, that’s how it felt. I love giving of myself, and I had the opportunity to give to a child in need. One of my favorite quotes is by Anne Frank: “No one has ever become poor by giving.” I was the richest person in the world on Saturday.
So what do I look like now?
My hairstylist is a genius
I love it. Less shampoo, less conditioner, less drying time, less knots. It’s shorter than I’d normally wear it, but as I said, I wanted to donate as much as possible. Maybe I’ll keep it this way, or let it grow out a bit, or do a blunt fringe at some point. I’m not sweating it because, for me, it’s just hair.
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Interested in the organization and the donation process? Visit the Locks Of Love website.
Interested in where I got my haircut? Priscilla at Salon au Rouge in Portland is magical. I can’t recommend her enough.
Sips of Jen and Tonic 
Love the new ‘do–and that is the most girly thing you will ever hear me say.
You sounded just like Giuliana Rancic on “Ready to Love” right then.
Freaking Fantastic. I love the story and the cut. You are one amazing Jen, and someone will really appreciate your generous donation!
Oh, I’m sure they will. Whoever thought of this whole concept is racking up mega karma points.
My hero!!!! What an epic mission to get your hair into peak condition. Your selflessness is astounding my friend. And…your new short cut is hella sexy. Loving your style, inside and out.
JEN! When I saw your name pop up I did a little happy dance. Haven’t seen you on WP in awhile! I told my stylist to give me “The Sexy JDub” but she told me I wasn’t ready for that.
That is a lot of hair. 14 inches. Very Little Women. Sounds like a wonderful cause.
14 inches IS a lot of hair. I honestly wasn’t sure that I’d have enough to donate because 10 inches seemed like a lot. Apparently I need to familiarize myself with a ruler.
That’s so cool, Jen! I want to donate my hair, but it was bleached three years ago, so the bottom 10 inches is blah. Then if you took all my hair and put it into a ponytail, I would be enough hair for about three Barbie dolls, or one child’s fringe/bangs. The will is strong but the follicle is weak. I am useless.
“The will is strong but the follicle is weak.” That needs to be on a t-shirt.
It applies to so many people. I can see that going into a condolences card for a man who has a comb-over. Hint, hint.
Love that you did this! And I love that you’ve been committed to doing it for so many years. That’s impressive. And your new cut looks fabulous. An added bonus. 🙂
I was kind of afraid I’d have a moment of, “Oh crap, what have I done?” I didn’t. It felt very freeing to give it all away to someone who really needs it.
And what a cool feeling to know that somewhere out there, a child or teenager will be wearing your hair. 🙂
It’s kind of weird to think about my hair being in the mail right now, and eventually being on someone else’s head!
Maybe the postal carrier will like it so much, he or she will keep it for themselves. Okay, now that’s just creepy. 😉
That’s like a scene out of CSI
OMG Jen that’s awesome! Such a great cause. You rock 😉
It’s a wonderful cause! I hope everyone reads up on it and spreads the word even if they can’t/don’t want to donate.
I’ve donated 3 footlongs in my days – the last one was a 5-year dissertation grind grow-out. Still rockin’ the bob for now, but I’ll probably decide to grow it back out and donate again when I get bored of this.
YES! You’re my hero.
That’s such a wonderful thing to do. Five years is a huge commitment. You look amazing!
I can’t believe it has been five years! Mostly I’m happy that it has been that long since my grandma was sick.
You look hawt lady, and it isn’t just because you’re a kind and generous soul.
I think it’s because my hairstylist knows how to perfectly frame a head that is the size of a basketball.
A sexy basketball.
I’m going to grow out my underarms. You’ve inspired me. What conditioner should I use?
Coconut oil mixed with Sure deodorant.
I can call it Coc-sure for short.
Gorgeous post, my friend!
You have a big heart, Jen. Don’t ever change!
NEVER. Well, I may change my clothes tomorrow.
This is so great, Jen. The new cut looks adorable and someone somewhere is going to be jazzed to have your donation.
Personally, I’ve never had long hair, so could never donate. I did try sending them a padlock, though, but it got returned.
It was the padlock to your chastity belt, wasn’t it?
I can’t imagine you with long hair. I like the Mad Men kinda vibe you have going for you.
Thanks, Jen. I would look really awful with long hair.
The padlock was just from my bike. I use a bike lock chain for my chastity belt, as well as a bear trap and a hot plate turned up all the way.
Your wife is like the Bear Grylls of relationships if that’s true.
I had to look up that reference, but then “Ha!”
Way to go Jen- and you look great! Such a wonderful to have gotten involved with; a testament to your generosity 🙂
Thanks, Paul! As you know, there are people out there doing good things all the time to help others. (By the way, I owe you an e-mail!)
Good for you–you look great! I donated my gorgeous golden locks to LOL a few years ago after my mother died. I was glad to do it. But you’ll be on their mailing list forever now.
They can’t be any worse than Kohl’s. I swear, I get 20,000,000 e-mails from them a week. And kudos for donating your hair! I’m sorry to hear about your mother, but I think it’s a really cool way to honor her memory.
Love love love LOVE the new haircut!! And kudos to you, you did a wonderful thing. I wanted to do it myself but they won’t take color-treated hair. Since I haven’t seen my natural color since I was 19, I’m disqualified. Sigh.
When I did it they would take color treated hair. Just not grey hair.
I think they take grey now, but they note that they’ll end up selling it.
They take color treated hair, just not bleached. I had highlights so there was bleaching involved.
Yay Jen. Way to go! Love the haircut. What a wonderful thing to do. 🙂 So Inspiring.
Thanks! You should grow your hair out. I bet a kid would love a beautiful ginger wig 😉
Jen,
Behold my eloquence: gorgeous.
And ask Sara the story behind the lock of her hair we have lying around our flat…
Le Clown
I asked Sara about the story, and guffawed at her response. GUFFAWED.
Jen,
Right?
Le Clown
Go you! I like your new style. I did this recently too and so far it helps with the amount of sweating that I was doing with long hair and even headaches I didn’t realize were from all the weight haha. Lookin’ good, lady!
Oh, is that why you got your new haircut a few months ago? Yours looks good! Your hair must have been LONG because I don’t remember it being too short. It’s great that you did this!
Damn U look good.
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I love that little sexy face you’re putting on for me
I love that hair cut you have….you look hot.
MEOW! Thank you my dear.
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You are just AMAZING! All your love and dedication will make someone who really needs it so, so happy. Your haircut suits you perfectly too.
Thanks! I just want to do what I can where I can, and my hair grows like a weed. It just made sense to give away what I have plenty of.
One of my dearest friends discovered she had cancer 8 months after giving birth to her son last year. She wasn’t even 30 years old. She remained strong, but I knew what she was going through despite her stoic silence.
Being ill is terrible, but sometimes the looks one receives when sick is worse. Most people don’t even realize the affect those looks have on a person’s psyche. When you are ill, one thing you want is to be normal. It’s not vanity; it’s a chance at normalcy.
Donating hair, like you did, will help avoid those sympathetic stares many unknowingly make.
THANK YOU!
And you look fabulous, darling! 🙂
I agree! I cringe when a child says loudly, “Why is that person bald?!” when they see a cancer patient in a store. It can be hurtful for someone else to point out the illness you’re already so aware of. I can’t even imagine how a child feels when being “normal” is all they want.
And you still have longer hair than me! You love GORGEOUS. I think our eyebrows are related (except you keep yours in line). And YAY for LOCKS OF LOVE! What lucky person would not want your locks?
You rock the short ‘do like nobody’s business. My eyebrows NEED to be kept in line otherwise they’ll grow together, form an army, and take over my face.
And ask for mine as recruits. And I meant you LOOK Gorgeous not LOVE Gorgeous.
And thank you ~
Thank you, from whomever benefits from your beautiful hair. Five years is a huge commitment and just…thank you. You are awesome, Jen.
Thank YOU for the nice comment. Five years is kind of a long time, but it was totally worth it.
I lost an aunt to cancer and it’s a horribly dreadful thing to witness. So I do appreciate what you’ve done. Immensely.
It’s a great cut…play on words intended. Awesome.
I guess you could say I’m a cut above the rest! *whomp whomp*