Christina Diehl on Giving Back

I remember back in 1998, showing up for my Senior Class photo, with my fresh new haircut and everyone being shocked.  Up until then, I had always been a long-haired person.  But that Fall, I realized I could use that long hair to help a stranger because in 1997 Locks of Love was created.  Now there are over ten different organizations that accept donations of human hair, in order to make wigs for people that can not grow their own.  When a person is faced with cancer, the last thing she should have to worry about is what to do after her hair falls out. 

This is just one way that healthy people can lift up people that are less fortunate.  Taking responsibility as a citizen of this world doesn’t have to require lots of money, time, or resources.  It can be as simple as growing your hair long and then chopping it off…easy peasy.  This February, I made my 7th donation of hair since my senior year of high school.  When people ask if I’m going to keep my hair short, I think to myself “are you kidding, then I can’t donate it!”  

I encourage you to learn more about the organizations that offer this service - namely Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Wigs for Kids, and Locks of Love.  Pantene alone has given away over 42,000 wigs since there conception in 2006.  They’ve also started an initiative to suggest donating $8 if you do not have 8 inches of hair to donate.  Every little bit makes a difference!

By: Christina Diehl