In 2015, Lincoln East students willingly grew their hair out eight inches to donate to Children With Hair Loss, a non-profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children facing medically related hair loss.  Now, in 2017, they are bringing it back to hopefully get more people to donate their hair to sick children around the nation.

East had ten people donate their hair in 2015. After a month of growing their hair out, they would then get their hair cut in front of the whole school at the spring pep rally by local hair stylists hired by the school.  Junior, Angel Mai was one of those people.  “I had donated before, it’s just an easy way to get my hair cut and to help people,” said Mai.  I asked if the donation changed her in any way, “I felt alright, I was happy to get an opportunity to help someone just by getting my hair cut,”  said Mai.  On the day of the spring pep rally the donors were called to the court to get their haircut to be donated to children across the country.  

Once the hair is cut, East donates it to Children With Hair Loss (CHWL). Children With Hair Loss has helped over 3,500 children with hair loss since 2000.  In 2016, CWHL helped 528 children with hair replacements and care kits.  “Each year, the number of children requesting our hair replacements increases and with your support, we can continue to increase the number of children we are able to help in the future!” -CWHL.   

Ms. Dugdale is the organizer for the donation here at East. She brings many volunteer opportunities for students at East.  “I think when it all started was when we heard about Mrs. Kabourek, it was in the back of my mind.  I thought, what can children do?” said Dugdale. “It doesn’t cost anything, and I want kids to help the community at no cost.  So I thought I’d throw it out there and see what I’d catch.”  What she caught was indeed what she was looking for as ten people committed to donate their hair.  

There are many children and young adults around the country that have to deal with not having any hair due to cancer.  “Hair is someone’s vanity, I get that,” said Dugdale.  “When dealing with young people, not having their hair stand out around their peers can be hard on them.  Kids can be mean and with hair they can feel like they fit in.”  

As of now, only three people at East are signed up to donate hair.  If you would like to help someone in need of hair, you can find Ms. Dugdale in room 018.  Help someone in need today!