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Wheaton North High School senior Meggie Exner was feeling brave Monday May 17 as she donated 9 inches of her hair to charity.
“I want to donate as much as I can without getting a buzz cut or something crazy,” the 18-year-old Wheaton resident said to her stylist.
Exner joined more than 25 students and community members who were scheduled to donate their hair during Wheaton North High School’s fourth annual Locks of Love event Monday.
The event, hosted by Wheaton North High School’s Student Council and My Salon of St. Charles, benefited Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to low-income children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
Wheaton North senior Katelyn Hock, 18, said knowing her hair would go to financially disadvantaged children motivated her to donate 8 inches of her hair for the event.
“I just want to help people,” Hock said. “A lot of people are affected by cancer and it’s just nice to know you can help in some way.”
Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair because of a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. Other child recipients have suffered severe burns or injuries or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem or other dermatological conditions that cause permanent hair loss. Made with donated hair, the vacuum fit hairpieces do not require the use of tape or glue and are designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair.
Children losing their hair should have the opportunity to feel proud about the way they look, said Alyssa Rose, a Wheaton North senior.
“So, the kids that have to struggle with losing their hair, they should have the right to be proud about the way they look,” Rose, 18, said. “That’s one of the main reasons I donated my hair.”
How to donate
• The Locks of Love website requests donations be at least 10 inches long, measured from tip to tip.
• Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.
• Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in.
• Place the ponytail or braid in a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope.
• If you wish to receive a personalized thank-you card, fill out an online form at locksoflove.org, or write your name and address on a full-size separate sheet of paper and include inside the envelope. Locks of Love does not acknowledge donors who do not send their name and address according to these instructions.
• All hair donations must be mailed to Locks of Love at: 234 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405.
• For information, visit the organization’s website at locksoflove.org.
Wheaton North High School senior Meggie Exner was feeling brave Monday May 17 as she donated 9 inches of her hair to charity.
“I want to donate as much as I can without getting a buzz cut or something crazy,” the 18-year-old Wheaton resident said to her stylist.
Exner joined more than 25 students and community members who were scheduled to donate their hair during Wheaton North High School’s fourth annual Locks of Love event Monday.
The event, hosted by Wheaton North High School’s Student Council and My Salon of St. Charles, benefited Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to low-income children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
Wheaton North senior Katelyn Hock, 18, said knowing her hair would go to financially disadvantaged children motivated her to donate 8 inches of her hair for the event.
“I just want to help people,” Hock said. “A lot of people are affected by cancer and it’s just nice to know you can help in some way.”
Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair because of a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. Other child recipients have suffered severe burns or injuries or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem or other dermatological conditions that cause permanent hair loss. Made with donated hair, the vacuum fit hairpieces do not require the use of tape or glue and are designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair.
Children losing their hair should have the opportunity to feel proud about the way they look, said Alyssa Rose, a Wheaton North senior.
“So, the kids that have to struggle with losing their hair, they should have the right to be proud about the way they look,” Rose, 18, said. “That’s one of the main reasons I donated my hair.”
How to donate
• The Locks of Love website requests donations be at least 10 inches long, measured from tip to tip.
• Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.
• Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in.
• Place the ponytail or braid in a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope.
• If you wish to receive a personalized thank-you card, fill out an online form at locksoflove.org, or write your name and address on a full-size separate sheet of paper and include inside the envelope. Locks of Love does not acknowledge donors who do not send their name and address according to these instructions.
• All hair donations must be mailed to Locks of Love at: 234 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405.
• For information, visit the organization’s website at locksoflove.org.
