Though there are many options for those suffering from hair loss due to chemotherapy, not everyone is able to use the various alternatives. There can be many reasons for this, only one of which is the cost. Several times it is a matter of availability (especially for those who are unable or not comfortable purchasing online), or even of finding a headgear that is of the right size. One way that help can arrive is for people to donate hair to cancer sufferers.
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This problem is particularly troublesome for children who suffer from hair loss as they are unable to find special wigs for cancer patients that fit them. Children constitute a very small minority of those suffering from hair loss and as a result are left out in the calculations of manufacturers of specialty wigs for those undergoing chemo. They deserve our help and consideration.
Donating your hair to cancer patients
A unique method for helping children suffering from cancer is to donate hair to them. If you are a past survivor of chemotherapy, you know how damaging the loss of hair can be to a person's self esteem. Imagine the effect it will have on a child. By donating your hair, you literally give them a gift that no amount of money can buy. This is because no ready made wig will perfectly fit a child's scalp. The hair that you donate will be carefully weaved in such a fashion that the final product is indistinguishable from natural hair!
The hair that comes from your scalp will go through many procedures before it becomes suitable for the purpose it was cut off for. It will be mixed and weaved along with the hair from other people and chemically treated in different ways. The procedure ends with a careful molding of the wig onto the scalp of the child that can take almost 2 days. The end result is a work of art.
How do you donate hair?
Unlike what you may think, you don't need to cut off all your hair if it's long. 10 inches is a benchmark here. You can leave the rest of you hair intact. You can't do it yourself of course. You will require the professional help of a hair dresser. If your regular dresser participates in the charity program, then they will know what to do and mail it for you as well. If not, you will have to mail it in yourself.
The hair needs to take the form of a ponytail before it is cut. This is very important, as the hair will be quite unusable in any other form. Also, it cannot be bleached as this interferes with proper chemical treatment later on. Short hairs or grey hairs are not used and are sold to commercial manufacturers, the money from which helps to defray the expenses of the wig making.
So donate hair to cancer patients today for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have done something useful and are helping a child go through one of the most difficult experiences of her life.
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