, including seven hundred children, suffer from Alopecia Areata. Worldwide, this disease effects 2 percent of the entire population. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder with no known cause or cure that results in hair loss on the scalp and body. Many children with this disorder, radiation to the brain stem, severe burns on the scalp, and other conditions associated with hair loss tend to feel as though they do not fit in and may be embarrassed of their bald scalp, but Locks of Love provides hope and optimism by outfitting children with an affordable hairpiece. Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organizations that provides affordable hairpieces for children with hair loss by collecting ponytails from donors. The organization, with much help from donors, has made many children much more comfortable with their appearance, heightened their self-esteem, and helped to make them a little less nervous about meeting people.
Hair is something all to many people take for granted. It is grown, styled, permed, colored, and cut repeatedly. During all of this, many think only of their own appearance. However, a talk show, newspaper article, or mere acquaintance may change things. No matter what the influence, the potential donors realize they would find much more satisfaction knowing their lengthy tresses have gone to a needy child rather than being discarded on the floor of the salon. Many people do not have the time to volunteer and plenty do not have enough money to donate to charities, but hair is something nearly anyone can give. With this thought in mind, the decision is made and the donor allows the hair to grow.
On average, it takes two years to grow 10 inches of hair (10 inches being the minimal usable about required by Locks of Love). During this time, one tends to start researching. Some find facts like, "It takes about 12-15 ponytails to make one hair piece," or, "Nearly 80 percent of the donors are children.
