To All My HAIRDRESSER Friends

Believe51 · 03-07-2008, 12:45 PM

My hair is rather long (to waist) and although I asked Ed in the beginning of his journey if he thought I could cut it to the scalp, he said NO. This is one of the things he always loved about my features, thus the reason for asking.

Recently we discussed me donating some of this long hair. Now girls, there is some white hair strewn about in it (more secrets revealed! LOL).

Question to you is: Should I color it before I donate it??

Can I request that it go to children's wigs??

Who needs this hair the most??

How do I start this process?? (I do not have a hairdresser-I do it)

This is a giant endeavor for me since I have had long hair for a long time. Ed has agreed with the idea that it would be my way of giving back once more. Cancer will not rob me anymore, I do not let it steal thoughts or time or spirit.... This time I am taking someone else's negative and trying to supply a positve for them!>>Believe51

PS: When I look into the mirror and my hair is short it will be a physical reminder of giving something back to someone who I will touch and never meet. I would say that about this site but I do plan on meeting some of you in the future, that is one of my larger goals!!

Hazel Joyce · 03-07-2008, 01:06 PM

Hi, Marie. The long-haired donors that I know donate to "Locks of Love":

http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html

Colleens_Husband · 03-07-2008, 01:33 PM

Marie:

I just want to echo what Hazel said. Locks of Love is one of the best organizations for donating hair. You may want to ask them what is the best procedure. It may be that they have a need for hair with a little touch of gray. Some people look for wigs that match their original hair.

My son grew his hair long and then shaved it twice for Locks of Love even before my wife had cancer. I am really proud of him for that.

Lee

Believe51 · 03-07-2008, 01:38 PM

What a beautiful gesture from your son, I am sure you are proud of him!! I am too!! I am going to get going on this soon and I am happy to know how this will effect someone else's life>>Believe51

schoolteacher · 03-07-2008, 01:46 PM

Marie,

I had hair down to my waist until January 2, 2008, which was the day before my first chemo treatment. I also had some gray in my hair.

I did donate my hair to Locks of Love. Cutting my hair was one of the hardest things I have had to do dealing with BC. I felt like you that giving my hair was one way of turning a negative into a positive.

Amelia

hutchibk · 03-07-2008, 01:57 PM

As a hairdresser, I have always donated to Lock of Love.

Here are a few hints I can offer:

1. Don't color it! They will do that if they need to. (Used to be they didn't accept donated hair if it was colored at all. They do now but they prefer natural hair. And they don't accept it if it has been bleached or highlighted with bleach)

2. It has to be a minimum of 10 inches long (or longer) and layered is OK as long as the longest layer is 10".

3. Before you cut it, it must be clean and dry. They require you to put it in a ponytail with a ponytail band around the top of the pony and the bottom. A long braid is even better. (to keep it from tangling in transit) Cut it off about 1 inch above the top band, making sure you have a 10" ponytail (tip to tip) before you cut.

4. Put it in a plastic bag and mail it to them in a padded envelope.

Here's the address (on the link) and more info about Locks of Love...

http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html

Believe51 · 03-07-2008, 02:09 PM

Thanks everyone I appreciate the help. And Brenda, I will be braiding it because it is so healthy and I want it to be neat to work with. Never colored this hair and it is much longer than 10".

Can I donate 2 bunches if it is this long?? I am getting excited>>Believe51

PS: I will be sure to take BEFORE & AFTER pictures to post here. Told Mighty Oak that this is one more goal to achieve: To watch it grow back!! Smiling!!

IRENE FROM TAMPA · 03-07-2008, 04:53 PM

gesture to do Marie...

Please do send us pictures. This I am sure is a difficult decision since it sounds like your hair is very very long but even more so unselfish of you.

It is a wonderful feeling to give isn't it...

Sheila · 03-07-2008, 06:55 PM

Marie
When I started this journey, my hair was to my knees...I wanted to donate it to locks of love, but they would not take it if it had ever been colored. I have it in the basement in a box. That is a very generous gesture of you...my husband loved my long hair, it was hard to cut it...he did it with lots of tears and beers.

Bill · 03-07-2008, 10:33 PM

wow, Sheila.

Bev · 03-07-2008, 10:39 PM

Wow, both of you. BB

StephN · 03-07-2008, 10:48 PM

Wonderful thought. I bought a wig that was most likely real hair from India or China somewhere.

It was quite dark and the stylist lightened it up so it would be close to my original color.

My trainer donated her hair and then she had the new short look dyed PINK. There is also a good idea. Just go all the way with this idea!!

I also have my hair but it was only about 6 inces long.

harrie · 03-07-2008, 11:35 PM

My daughter just cut her hair and donated it to L of L.
I wouldn't color it. Let whomever gets your hair decide on whether to color it or not. See my pic?...THAT is a wig and there are little stands of grey in it here and there. I hardly use (in fact never) my wig anymore, but when it did I loved it. In fact, it looks identical to my real hair so NO one guessed it was a wig. I had to tell them!!! LOL!!!
Harrie

nitewind · 03-08-2008, 08:01 AM

Harrie, I had no idea that that was a wig! It looks so natural and you are very beautiful.
Marie, what a wonderful thing you are doing, but it doesn't surprise me, God surely did bless us went he sent you to this board.
Hugs

harrie · 03-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Thank you Nitewind (btw, what a NICe name you picked)....
Anyways, I wish I could tell everyone, that prior to chemo I DREADED the idea of losing my hair, like most everyone else I am sure. BUT, amazing how good things always seem to work out I discovered:
1. I don't look all that horrible is really short hair
2. I NEVER use to have variety in my hair styles. It would be the same for yrs and that included high maintenence of flat ironing daily, chemically straightening every 10 months or so, haircuts ever 6 wks, highlights every 6 months....
3. After I lost my hair I had that wig that you see which looked identical to my hair but lower maintenence, nice scarfs, caps with short wigs attached to the back of the caps (cute!!)
4. when my hair started coming back, I like it at least as well if not better then my original hair and it is so low maintenece it is ubelievable...
I would have never guess in a million yrs that losing my hair from chemo could work out so well.

AND...aside from hair, I would have never guess in a million yrs that the chemo itself would be so manageable.

Harrie

Andrea Barnett Budin · 03-08-2008, 06:13 PM

My 11 yr old granddghtr just donated 10" to L of L. She had to go to a special beauty parlor who knew exactly what to do. I have a dear friend who has done the same. A manicurist I know is also growing her hair out enough to give 10" and not be left too short. I love that pp do this. It is a most beautiful and personal gesture that has enormous impact no doubt.

Very admirable Marie. Before and after pictures please! And Sheila! Double WOW!! Good for you both. Well done... May your kindness be rewarded tenfold!!!!!!!!!!

I surely know the trauma of losing ones hair, even if it is short. It is still your mane. And bald was never a goal for me, gotta tell you. I figured in my case it was a trade off. Take my hair and give me survival! I knew straight away which to pick...
Andi

harrie · 03-08-2008, 06:46 PM

Andi, my goodness,....you look SUPER young!!! I was surprise when you said you had an 11 yr old granddaughter and then I looked at your profile and I was shocked!! You look so young! (not that I am calling you older.....but I think I should stop right in my tracks....) But you look like around 45 in your pic! Anyways, your medical profile is extremely inspiring. Love it.

Bill · 03-08-2008, 10:39 PM

Harrie, you look so good. (As one of the few men on this site, I'm reluctant, sometimes, to comment on physical things) I can see your spirit shining through in every post. Love, Bill

harrie · 03-09-2008, 01:15 AM

That was kind of you to say that Bill.
And Andi....(don't let your husband read this)...but I thought you had married an older man!!! LOL!!!! Your face looks so perky and youthful!!! I bet your grandkids LOVE you!!!!

harrie · 03-09-2008, 01:16 AM

Just to show you how addicted to this site I am.....my husband and I went to the movies tonight to see 10,000 BC and what is the first thing I do after I got home and ate a snack?????.....see whats up at HER2!!!