Stand Up To Cancer

I like my hair. Even as it begins to turn grey (early!), it remains un-damaged by dyes, presses, perms, regular blow-dryer use, excessive product. (My puny little blow-dryer comes out for very special occasions only: high school prom, MFA graduation, the really big moments.)

I don't remember how I got the idea, but I was a single-digit age when it first occurred to me to chop it all off and donate my precious braid to Locks of Love. Something about that act was so satisfying that I have been doing it every two or three years since.

It wasn't until I started working with Stand Up To Cancer, however, that I really understood what my act meant. Unlike most of my colleagues, I am fortunate in that my direct connections to cancer are of the "early detection" variety. While I've known associates who have battled the disease to the point of baldness, none of my confidants have needed my support as they experienced the sorrow of losing their tresses (and, for some, identity) to a treatment for an illness they could not fight alone.

I am not alone: since the launch of the SU2C website, visitors have been writing to info@standup2cancer.org, divulging stories of repeat donations to LOL. Almost every time I tell someone I am working on the Stand Up To Cancer website, that someone tells me about their daughter, friend, uncle, etc. who recently sent in a 10" braid.

It is such a simple, small act. But it offers dramatic, tangible life improvement for whoever receives the hair. I am proud to be one of many who see this as something easily done repeatedly.

But almost every time I've gone in for the haircut, I've been the hairdresser's very first client requiring a 10" braid. Clearly, not enough people know about this small action they can take! Consider it. For most, ten inches grows quickly. And while my hair is un-permmed, un-dyed, un-abused, my type of hair is not the only type needed. LOL takes hair of any type except bleached/dreaded. Many different styles of prosthetic head-pieces are needed!

And if you feel that you would prefer to reach out beyond Locks of Love, perhaps to adults, consider any of the following:

• Locks of Love - www.locksoflove.org
• Wigs for Kids - www.wigsforkids.org
• Pantene Beautiful Lengths Campaign - www.beautifullengths.com
• Look Good... Feel Better - www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org

Please use blog comments to suggest your own resources!

-- Rain, SU2C.org Technical Supervisor