Students can crop their tresses March 22 at the fourth annual Locks of Love fundraiser to make hairpieces for children who have lost their hair due to medical treatments.
Students donating their hair must be able to spare 10 inches and will not be charged for their trim, given by trainees from the Paul Mitchell stylist school. Those without hair long enough to donate can still get a haircut and make a cash donation, said Caroline Landau '09, the publicity coordinator of the Locks of Love event.
There is no official suggested donation, but donors in the past have given between $5 and $20 each, Landau said. The Brown fundraiser has raised over $7,500 and collected 2,500 inches of hair over the past three years, Landau later wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.
The Locks of Love fundraiser this year is partnering with Health Education, which is covering some of the cost of the event, Landau said. Health Education will also run a table with educational information, including nutrition and instructions about how to self-administer cancer exams. Landau said having health information available is an integral part of Locks of Love because "it's not just about hair, it's about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while also helping to remedy those who have been affected by illness."
As in past years, free food will be provided courtesy of Brown Hillel, Health Education, the Program in Liberal Medical Education Undergraduate Senate and the Women's Peer Counseling Program. "This event runs on a lot of hard work and dedication, and we want to thank everyone who has made it possible," Landau said.
Locks of Love is a national nonprofit organization founded in Florida in 1997. Though not officially affiliated with the national organization, the Brown group sends all donations to the national Locks of Love. The organization is a "great way to restore the self-worth" of those who have lost their hair, Landau said.
The fundraiser will be held in Sayles March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be made in the P.O. from March 12 to 16 and March 19 to 21 or by e-mailing hair@brown.edu. Walk-ins are also welcome.
