LIST: Where to donate your quarantine hair for a cause
February 4 is World Cancer Day. It was established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000 with the goal of ending the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer. Aside from creating more awareness about cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, you can also help in your own little way by donating your hair.
Yes, you read that right. You can ease the burden of some cancer patients by donating your locks.
How does that work? Hair donations help certain organizations produce wigs for cancer patients who are dealing with hair loss.
Hair loss or alopecia is a common side effect of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell (bone marrow) transplant.
These cancer treatments are so intense that they harm the cells that promote hair growth. Hence, the hair loss in some cancer patients.
So, if you want to lessen their burden, you should definitely donate your hair.
Because by doing so, you'll not only help produce more wigs, but you'll also be giving the hope and support that cancer patients need in their health journey. So, if you're ready to cut your mane for a good cause, check out GMA Lifestyle's list below of organizations where you can donate your hair.
Makati Medical Center
You can send your hair donations to the Makati Medical Center's Cancer Center. Natural curly or wavy hair is accepted, but chemically treated hair is not qualified. The donated hair should be at least nine inches long, dry, tied in a ponytail and should be placed in a zip lock or sealed plastic bag. Don't forget to include your full name, contact number, and email address.
Hair for Hope
Hair for Hope is an advocacy initiated by HEADS by volu-Med Salon and The European Hair Factory, Inc. Their main goal is to encourage people to donate their hair, so more wigs can be produced for partner hospitals, which include the Asian Hospital and the Makati medical Center.
If you plan to donate to Hair for Hope, your hair should be at least be 12 inches-long, braided befor cutting and sealed in a plastic bag. For the complete instructions, check out their Facebook post.
Strands Up for Cancer
Strands Up for Cancer is a project sponsored by the MDYMCA Youth Club in Binondo, Manila. They require hair donations to be at least 10 inches-long, dry, untreated, tied in a ponytail, sealed in a plastic bag. Check out the four easy steps in donating your hair to Strands Up for Cancer in their Facebook post.
There you have it, mga Kapuso. So, what are you waiting for? Go get a haircut now and donate your chopped off locks for a worthy cause.
Want more lifestyle content like this? Head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
Check out also this gallery of inspiring celebrities who are cancer survivors.