Locks of love will be needed this Valentine's Day

Feb 2008

On Feb. 1 the owner of Salon Envy in Ambler cut the first of what she and stylists hope will be many ponytails they donate to Locks of Love at the end of the month.

The nonprofit organization provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss, according to its Web site, www.locksoflove.org.

Salon Envy owner and Ambler resident Maria Fabiani is offering free cuts and styles in February for anyone who agrees to donate their hair to Locks of Love.

Antonella Mandarano of Abington was their first customer of the month to become a donor. "Not really a short-hair person," Mandarano, whose sister is a breast cancer survivor, selflessly had 8 inches of her long, dark hair cut.

The locks she had grown for the past six years will be one of six to 10 ponytails required to create a high quality, custom-made hair prosthetic the charity purchases.

Stylist and Ambler resident Heidi Hallowell said the salon donated seven ponytails to the organization after its grand opening eight months ago. This month's "big drive" marks the first of what she said will become an annual tradition.

"Anytime someone comes in and wants 8 inches cut off, we'll be sure to save it to donate," Hallowell said. But offering free services around Valentine's Day is a "nice way to encourage people to help a good cause."

The largest number of Locks of Love recipients experience hair loss due to the medical condition, alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure.

An auto-immune disorder that shuts down hair follicles, alopecia affects 4.7 million people in the United States, according to www.locksoflove.org.

Cancer constitutes the second highest percentage of recipients. Every year approximately 2,200 children under 20 are diagnosed with brain tumors. Radiation treatment can cause long-term or permanent hair loss.
Children can choose their hair color and length.

Up to 150,000 strands of hair are hand injected into a custom made silicone base. Children ages 6 to 18 can reapply for a new prosthesis every 18 months.

Salon Envy is following specific hair length and condition requirements - hair must be at least 8- to 10-inches long, clean, in a ponytail or braid when cut, and properly dried before it is mailed in a plastic bag within a padded envelope to Florida headquarters.

Hallowell said colored or permed hair is acceptable but it cannot be overprocessed.

According to the Web site neither short nor gray hair can be used in hairpieces but will be separated and sold to offset manufacturing costs.

"Hair is needed from men and women, young and old, all colors and races," according to www.locksoflove.com.

Donors receive a thank you card as a keepsake.

The organization estimates 80 percent of all donations come from children who wish to help other children.
Hallowell's 10-year-old daughter, Montana, a student in the Upper Dublin School District, was scheduled to have about 10 inches cut. "She has been growing it for a while," Hallowell said. "She's excited."

Salon Envy will gather the entire month's worth of donations before sending them. Hallowell said they "need as many as possible to help [Locks of Love] get as many wigs as possible."

According to Hallowell, "short hair is back." Anyone interested in a "new look" should try the "chin bob," which is particularly popular right now, she said.