PEOPLE were yesterday urged not to let their hair be swept up by hairdressers — rather they were encouraged to donate it to a good cause.
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Tina Flint, of Kancoona, and Dederang’s Lorraine Costanzo spent more than a year growing their hair so they could raise awareness about alopecia and cancer.
Yesterday Jazz Hair Studio owner Belinda Bowers chopped their long locks off for charity.
When Ms Flint’s neighbour was diagnosed with alopecia - a condition which causes a person to lose all their hair - it inspired her to make a difference.
“My hair is thick, I have enough of it so I looked to see if it was possible for me to donate my hair for wigs,” she said.
Ms Flint said she was scared about the change but thought it was a “radical” idea to grab people’s attention.
“People will notice the difference and strike up a conversation about the issue,” she said.
Ms Costanzo agreed telling her story would help teach other people about the illnesses.
The women said they felt liberated as the scissors cut through their hair.
“We’re just so proud that we can do this for others,” Ms Costanzo said.
“To think that a part of me is going to help someone is a really great feeling.”
Ms Bowers said anyone wanting to cut their long hair short should consider donating it to create wigs.
“People shouldn’t waste their hair,” she said.
“We can’t find a cure for illnesses that make you lose your hair but we can have a Band-Aid effect.”
Ms Bowers said a client with alopecia had wanted to help too.
The Princess Charlotte Alopecia Program requires 16 to 19 ponytails to make a wig at a cost of $3500.