‘I wanted to give…’
Published: January 13, 2005
Melissa Lawrence, 18, Aurora, showed apprehension as the stylist approached her with scissors at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7.
But she consoled herself, “It will grow back!” said Lawrence.
“There was a blood drive at school, and I wanted to give blood, but I couldn’t give because I’m anemic,” said Lawrence.
Inspired by the magnanimity of others at South Dearborn High School, Lawrence found something she could give, her hair.
Locks of Love is a charitable organization that creates wigs for children with medical hair loss.
Synthetic wigs don’t work well with children, and natural wigs can cost up to $3,000. So Locks of Love uses natural hair donated by people like Lawrence.
Lawrence wanted Debbie Teke of A Cut Above hair salon, Aurora, to do the cutting.
“I’ve been cutting her hair since she was a little girl,” said Teke.
But she never cut her hair like this. Rather than the normal techniques of a skilled stylist, Teke had to initially pull Lawrence’s hair into a pony tail and saw away.
Locks of Love cannot use hair that is less than 10 inches in length. So when Lawrence decided to donate her hair, it was a big decision.
And giving can be contagious. “She thinks she’s going to pay me for it, but I’m not going to charge her a dime,” said Teke.
Teke measured and prepared well for the cut, but it was over in 60 seconds.
The look on Lawrence’s face when she held her recently cut hair was one of shock. Teke ensured her she would make it look better. Watching Teke was like watching an expert carver who chops off big chunks first and follows up with the fine cuts later.
Lawrence assessed her new hair cut. Although it was a radical change, she seemed optimistic.
Lawrence does not plan to end her charitable ways when she graduates from high school. She plans to attend Anderson University and major in Christian ministry and music.
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