Sisters donate to Locks of Love
Published: July 27, 2006
Amanda Watson always admired her big sister and wanted to be just like her. So when big sister Cali began thinking months ago about cutting her hair, Amanda saw her big chance. For Amanda, however, achieving her big sister’s likeness wasn’t so much about cutting her hair as it was donating it.
Together, Cali, 9, and Amanda, 7, recently donated almost 2 feet of hair to Locks of Love, a Florida-based nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
“It’s Cali’s second time donating. She first donated when she was in kindergarten,” said Muriel Watson, the girls’ mother. Muriel said when Cali decided to donate again, Amanda wanted to do the same thing.
Most Locks hair recipients suffer from alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes complete loss of scalp hair. It affects approximately 2.5 million men, women and children in the United States and Canada, according to the Web site DermWeb.com. Other wig recipients include cancer patients who lose their hair during radiation treatment.
In the Watson sisters’ case it was seeing a sparsely haired, adult cancer patient that inspired them to help children with hair-robbing afflictions.
“Kim Smith was a hairdresser and a good friend. When we went to see her the last week of her life, Amanda said she’d have cut her hair that moment if it would save Kim’s life,” Muriel said.
The girls remember how Kim’s death in December 2005 crystallized their decision earlier this year to cut and donate their hair.
“My mommy’s friend was sick, and I wanted to give her my hair so that she would feel better. I want to give my hair to sick people so they won’t die,” said Amanda whose hair reaches her lower back.
“I like to donate my hair because I think someone else needs it more than me. I feel sad about Kim’s death. I am cutting my hair in memory of Kim,” said Cali, whose hair reaches her mid-back.
To be donated hair, made into a braid or ponytail, must be a minimum of 10 inches long, according to Locks guidelines, and free from chemical damage. Once cut, hair must be stored in a plastic bag. It takes at least six donated ponytails to construct a prosthetic hairpiece.
Hairpieces, which elsewhere would retail for $3,000, are provided free or on a sliding scale based on financial need, according to the organization’s Web site. The vast majority of hair recipients are girls.
“Women take their hair very seriously,” Muriel said. “It’s very important. People judge you by your hair.”
Though her girls are far from the classroom this summer, Muriel said the biggest lesson they will all take from this opportunity to give is to “appreciate life.”
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