Kids helping kids: 10-year-old girls donate hair to Locks of Love
Published: September 26, 2004
It wasn’t the average haircut for two 10-year-old cousins.
Katie Malfatti and Julianna Moranda recently had their tresses chopped off so they could donate their hair to Locks of Love. The Florida-based nonprofit organization provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Donated hair is used to create high-quality hair prosthetics.
The Locks of Love website states that the majority of donated hair comes from children wishing to help other children. Each hair prosthetic is custom made and vacuum-fitted, and it takes anywhere from six to 10 ponytails to make an individual hair piece. Katie’s mother, Angie Malfatti, said the girls were excited to see photos of who would receive the hair prosthetics made from their hair.
The two cousins were asked to grow their hair long by Katie’s grandmother and Julianna’s great-aunt, Jean Malfatti. Jean, who died in July after a long bout with cancer, lost her own hair from chemotherapy. The two girls were delighted to not only honor their older relative’s wish, but excited to help out other children.
In honor of Jean Malfatti, Katie and Julianna began growing their hair out about three years ago. Katie chopped off a little more than 14 inches of her hair, while Julianna cut a little more than 11 inches.
“They were excited to have their hair cut,” Angie said. “They said it was no big deal — it’s just hair and it will grow back.”
Locks of Love accepts a minimum of 10 inches of hair, which must be bundled in either a ponytail or braid. Hair from men and women of all ages and races is accepted.
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