Don’t Just Big Chop, Donate It! - All You Need to Know About Hair Donation
Content:
- The Basics Of Hair Donation
- Organizations To Donate To
- Locks Of Love
- Dreadlocks Of Love
- Pantene Beautiful Lengths
- Children With Hair Loss (CWHL)
- Hair Donation Ottawa
- Wigs* 4 Kids
- Wigs For Kids
- Hair We Share
- Pink Heart Funds
- Any d’Avray
- Haar Wensen
- Matter Of Trust
- Conclusion
Hair donation has been a thing for a while in some cultures. I’ve noticed a growing number of people in the black hair communitya are interested in donating their hair but not sure what organizations have a good enough reputation for them to donate to. It’s part of the reason that I’ve had a conviction to write about donating hair for a couple weeks now, especially since Meechy Monroe’s transition from this life, she too had donated her beautiful hair.
The other reason I feel this post is relevant is that as the natural hair community grows and we become awakened to the diversity of beauty within our community, it can become easy for us to be self-absorbed.
To be honest, when we talk about hair, it’s often directed to those of us who actually have hair and the capacity to grow some, hardly ever at those who for reasons beyond their control, are unable to grow out their own hair and revel in the experience that we get from experimenting with and learning about our hair. It can be easy to forget that for some there is no choice.
In this post, we look at organizations that make it easier for us to donate our hair if we so wish. This may not be for everyone, and there is no shame in that. We understand that it took great sacrifice for some to attain the length they have in growing and retaining the health and length of their hair.
But I am willing to bet that there are some Edward Scissor Hands among us, some who have become a bit bored with long hair and are looking for a change to go through the entire process of growing it out again now that we all know that black hair does in fact grow long. So when you next decide that you want a short crop, don’t just throw your hair away, donate it instead!
The Basics Of Hair Donation
Organizations that are in the business of taking hair donation usually have rules specific to them and the purpose of their organization. One should always check the rules and follow them exactly. Here are some of the basics:
- Ensure that your hair can be used by the organization you wish to donate to because not all hair is accepted in all organizations. Usually, if the hair is overprocessed, even if it is long, it cannot be used in a wig since it won’t hold up under the pressure it will go through.
- Virgin hair is best. Most prefer that the hair hasn’t been manipulated too much especially where heat styling is concerned. If you like to straighten your hair, you may not be a good candidate for some organizations. This is because heat styling can make the hair more porous. Hair that is bleached is usually rejected as well.
- Hair should be packed in a ponytail, preferably in a braid secured by a hair tie. This is especially so for our hair type since our hair is so prone to tangling and coils up so easily. Also, it helps to ensure that you cut the correct measurement. Another reason it is best to secure the hair is that it is always best to have every strand trained in the direction that the hair grows so that you don’t end up with a wig* with hair turned the wrong way which would result in lifted cuticles when it is styled.
- Hair must be washed and dried but no conditioner or product of any kind must be applied to it. We or damp hair will grow mold based on the conditions in shipment.
- Curly hair should be stretched before you make the cut.
- You can mail the hair to most organizations.
It is important to note that a natural hair wig* costs anywhere from $3500-$6000 and it takes 6-10 ponytails to make one wig. Now that you’ve got some of the basics out of the way, let us look at some of the organizations that either give the hair to a wig bank or have wig banks of their own that provide wigs to those in need.
Organizations To Donate To
Locks Of Love
For those of you already in the know, you might have heard about Locks of Love. It is one of the most popular places to donate hair and they have been in operation since 1997. This is where Meechy donated her hair.
They got a bad rap some time back because an audit revealed that they didn’t use up to 80% of the hair donated. The explanation for this was that some persons donating don’t follow the rules and so the hair could not be used.
For instance, based on how the hair was treated, it became moldy by the time it got to them and who wants a mold in their hair? Another criticism is that they charge the recipients of the hair; however, in response, representatives said that they ask that those who can afford to do so, make a contribution.
Now that that’s out of the way, we can look at what makes them a part of this list. Locks of Love provides custom made wigs to children suffering from hair-loss as a result of alopecia because of terminal illnesses. The wigs* they make are done to the specifications of the child who will get them; hence, they color, cut and style it to the child’s preference.
They also ensure that the measurement of the wig fits the measurement of the child’s head so that the wig will fit naturally and not be able to come off easily. They are in all 50 states across the U.S and they are also in Canada.
Their website can be found here: http://www.locksoflove.org/
Dreadlocks Of Love
This US based entity has no affiliation with Locks of Love. They are unique in that they take locs/ locks, something which no other agency wants to do right now. It’s ok if the locks have yarn, beads, hemp, wrap or rings.
They even accept combed out hair, so balls of hair after wash day or after a detangle session are accepted. It doesn’t even matter if the hair has hit the floor as they go through and wash and treat it when it gets to them. They even accept regular ponytails or loose hair that is not in dreadlocks, they just want hair that is at least 6 inches in length.
So for those of you who have had a bag of dreadlocks that you are ready to part with but you don’t want to throw it in the trash, Dreadlocks of Love may be one of the only places that would gladly take it. The fact that they state that they accept all hair because no hair is inferior just rounds out the good vibes we get from Dreadlocks of Love.
Their website can be found here: https://www.dreadlocksoflove.org/
Pantene Beautiful Lengths
You may donate hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths as well. Pantene is known as a manufacturer of hair care products; but, did you know their Beautiful Lengths Donation Program is geared to women suffering hair loss because of their fight with cancer?
Their work started in 2006 when they partnered with the American Cancer Society Wig* Bank to help lift the morale of cancer patients by providing and distributing wigs. Their campaign has also helped to bring awareness. They accept from 8 inches upward. Want to help but don’t want to cut your hair? It’s ok, they will take $8. They have collected over 800, 000 pintails, from which they were able to provide 42 000 natural hair wigs* so far.
Their website can be found here: https://pantene.com/en-us/experience-main-section2/beautiful-lengths
Children With Hair Loss (CWHL)
Children With Hair Loss in South Rockwood Michigan donates free natural hair wigs to children. They are one of the few organizations of their kind which will accept gray hair and hair that has been chemically treated as long as it is in good condition. They prefer ponytails that are 8 inches or longer, but they may take a shorter length since they also provide hair pieces for boys.
Their website can be found here: https://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/
Hair Donation Ottawa
Located in Canada, this organization is an annual non-profit which seeks to raise funds for cancer research. They accept ponytails 6 inches and over, which is used to make wigs for people in and close to the environs of Ottawa.
They commit to giving away 10 free wigs per year to financially challenged children in Ottawa suffering from illnesses which cause hair loss. They support Green Circle Salons which are salons committed to best practices that help the environment.
Those who wish to donate through them can do so through any of the salons listed on their site. The proceeds of their fundraising activities go to cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute to benefit both adults and children alike.
The hair they get that is unfit for use is sent to make hair booms to help clean up oil spills.
Their website can be found here: http://hairdonationottawa.com/
Wigs 4 Kids
Born in 2003, this organization based in Detroit raises funds and provides wigs to children who have experienced hair loss as a result of cancer. They also run a Wellness Center where they help people deal with the psychological, social, emotional and physical issues that arrive from hair loss.
For the most part, they accept ponytails that are at least 10 inches but will accept 7-9 inches to make wigs* for boys or a girl who likes her hair short.
Their website can be found here: http://www.wigs4kids.org/
Wigs For Kids
Not to be confused with Wigs* 4 Kids, this organization located in Westlake Ohio asks that donated pony tails be at least 12 inches. Their wigs* are tailored to withstand the rigors of child play. They also ask that the hair is divided into four sections before it is cut, for hair pulled back in one results in loss of up to 4 inches.
They recommend that you part the hair down the center then part across from the center to just at the top of each ear. Each ponytail must then be wrapped in tissue paper before being placed in a Ziploc bag and then put in a sealed envelope or box and mailed to them.
Their website can be found here: https://www.wigsforkids.org/
Hair We Share
Formed in 2014, this organization in New York is concerned with maintaining the dignity and self-esteem of those who suffer from hair loss. Their recipients are not limited to children or women, but extends to men who suffer hair loss as well.
Their website can be found here: http://hairweshare.org/
Pink Heart Funds Pony Tail Club For Kids
This organization in the UK was launched in 2005 and caters to adults and children who suffer hair loss. The desired length for hair donations is 10 inches. If your hair is in layers you should section it off according to the layers before you make the cut and the shortest layer should be 12 inches. They accept gray hair and hair from all ethnicities. They are also a part of the Amazon Smile project.
Their website can be found here: https://pinkheartfunds.org/
Any d’Avray
If you are in France, this salon facilitates the donation by assessing, preparing, cutting the hair and mailing it for you.
Their website can be found here: http://www.anydavray.fr/
Haar Wensen
This organization is for those in Belgium.
Their website can be found here: http://www.haarwensen.nl/
Matter Of Trust
This is the one organization that takes all type of hair: hair that is long, hair that is short, hair clippings, pet hair and pet fur, none of it is rejected. Any hair the others don’t want, this organization will take. They don’t make wigs though. This organization is an environmental agency which collects hair to make hair booms and hair mats to clean up oil spills.
Their website can be found here: http://matteroftrust.org/297/clean-wave-program
Conclusion
I’ve noticed that it’s predominantly Asians and Caucasians who are big on donating hair. It may be so because for a long time we never thought our hair could grow and they don’t usually consider our hair beautiful or of high quality.
Some organizations in this business even flat out say they don’t accept afro hair because they can’t use it, as though black people don’t suffer hair loss too. We’ve highlighted organizations you can donate to in the US, UK, Canada, France, and Belgium.
Black people have hair loss issues worldwide and I am sure somewhere there is someone whose spirit would be lifted to get a gift like this if you are willing to give it. Our hair is important, I can’t imagine living without mine, but some don’t have a choice.
Do you know of any place near you that collects hair donation? If we left out any worthy mentions in this post please leave it in the comments.
