Hair disorders are not in themselves life-threatening to patients. However, cosmetic and associated psychological consequences of hair growth abnormalities are frequently a source of great concern to children, adolescents and their parents. This is why Locks of Love was formed. Donors provide the hair, volunteers staff the office, and the manufacturer hand-assembles each piece, which requires approximately four months. It takes approximately 12 ponytails in order to make one hairpiece.
Most donors mail a note and a photo with their bundle of hair.
Children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a charity where children have the opportunity to help other children. Heather Harris is one of the children who wants to help her peers. It has never been cut and her parents let her cut it to donate. My sister Kay Baily donated 10 inches of her hair. Locks of Love provides its recipients with a custom, vacuum-fitted hairpiece made entirely from donated human hair.