Since coming to the University of Iowa, every new person I met always said the same thing every time when describing me. “The girl with realllllly long hair,” is what they would say. Flashback to freshman year in high school I had cut my hair really short, but never donated it. I would avoid the hair dresser at all costs. For the next four years my hair would continue to slowly grow to the point where it was so long it would get caught in everything if it was down.
It took 2 hours to straighten my hair, and if I wanted to curl it.. oh boy I would have to BEG my friends to do it for me because my hair is so thick I could not do it on my own. I told myself that once I took my senior pictures, I would cut my hair and have a fresh start. Well then the thought got moved into the summer before I started college. Now here I was in college and my hair was only getting longer. The ends were bad, it looked dead, and it needed a new start.
A part of me was so scared. What if I didn’t look like myself? What if it looked bad? I had been going back and forth for years deciding what to do. Everyone I asked said to keep it long or just cut a little off. I told myself if I was going to cut my hair it was going to be for a good cause. I was either donating it or not cutting it at all. My sister had donated her hair multiple times growing up, and my cousin survived cancer. These two reasons were my inspriation for making the final decision. I thought if I had this long of hair why not donate it.
It’s only hair and it will grow back.
One random Saturday I made the decision to donate my hair, but not tell anyone. An impulse hair appointment scheduled for the next day, there was no turning back. I took an Uber to the hair salon. I had never been to this place before because I am not from Iowa City, but the lady was so sweet and was so specific with measurements. She took my hair out of my long braid, and took a before picture of my long, thick hair.
She turned me around, so I was not able to see my new transformation until she was all done. After putting all my hair into sections to cut, she counted to three and made the first cut. At that moment I knew I couldnt back out. It took her a full hour and a half to cut my hair. When she was finished, she blow dried it and curled it. It was finially time to see my new hair.
When she turned the chair around and I faced the mirror I just looked at myself in disbelief. I could not believe I had just done that! I turned to my right to see all of my hair laying there. Putting my fingers through my hair felt sooo wierd. My hair had never been this short. I continued to look at myself in the mirror. I was so proud of myself for doing what I had just done. I put my hair in an envelope and mailed it to Wigs for Kids Organization. Wigs for Kids’ mission is to help children look themselves and live their lives.
Jeffrey Paul, a former hairdresser, started the organization after a little girl came in his saloon and begged him crying to stop her hair from falling out. After researching this organization, I was more inspiried to donate my hair. Not only do I love my new hair, but I love knowing that some child, who is going through something so hard, can put a wig made from my hair on their head to make them feel like they aren’t battling cancer. I do not regret my decision at all, and I plan on donating again. If you have been debating on cutting your hair.. this is a sign. Do it.
