I donated my hair - Here's how to donate yours

I don't know if you've ever noticed this on my pictures, but I have pretty long hair. Or at least, I did. Recently I decided to cut it and donate it to an organization that makes wigs for kids with cancer, and I'm going to tell you everything I know about donating hair.

41cm of hair donated (16 inches!)

Why should you donate hair?

For people undergoing certain medical conditions or treatments, hair loss can be a traumatizing experience and take a toll on the patient's confidence and self-esteem. Wigs can help these people cope with their condition, but a natural, realistic wig is usually expensive and not accessible to poor families. That's why there are non profit associations around the world that ask for hair donations so they can make wigs to give to these patients, either for free or for a much lower cost.

So, if you have long hair and are thinking of getting a haircut, hopefully this will inspire you and help you make the decision to help someone go through these hard times.

How to donate?

Each association has their own methods, but here are the ways to donate hair that I've seen:

1.  Events - sometimes these associations take part or even host events in which you can cut and donate your hair. 
2.  Hairdressers - there might me hairdressers working with these associations where you can cut your hair and they will collect and take care of your donation for you. 
3. Mail - you can cut your hair in a pony tail or braid, at home or at your usual hairdresser's, and send it to the association's address.

You have to check the association you want to donate to and see what methods are available to you!

Where should you donate hair to?

It depends on where you are: There are places with a lot of associations to choose from, and others in which there isn't a single one (like my home Portugal at the moment, unfortunately...). I did some research to try and find associations around the world, and made a list that will hopefully help you find the best one for you:

AMERICA

USA
Locks of Love
Wigs 4 Kids
Wigs for Kids
Hair We Share
Butterflies BBI

Argentina
Pelucas Solidarias
FundaVita
Fundación Vanesa Duran
Pelucas de Esperanza 
Eben Ezer

Colombia
Liga contra el cancer
Funcancer

Equador
Fundación Dibuja una Sonrisa
Hair with Heart

Guatemala
Fundecan

Mexico
Trenzando Corazones
Rizos de Amor y Alegria

Peru
Cabellos por la Vida

Brasil
Cabelegria
Rapunzel Solidária

 EUROPE

UK 
Little Princesses Trust

Spain
Mechones Solidarios 
Asociación Española de Posticería
Tu Pelo Vale Un Tesoro

Italy 
Banca dei Capelli 

France
SolidHair

Germany
haare-spenden.de

Denmark
Toftild 

Romania
Renasterea

Poland
Rac&Roll 

AFRICA

South Africa
Cansa

ASIA

India
Hair Aid 
Cope with Cancer
Hair bank

Philippines
Cuts Against Cancer

Pakistan 
Hair to Help 

Japan
Japan Hair Donation & Charity 
Hero

OCEANIA

Australia
Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation 
Variety 


If you know any donation center that isn't on this list, please let me know so I can keep updating it!

 What if there isn't any association where I'm from?

If you really want to donate your hair, consider mailing your hair to another country - but remember to check if they accept international donations first!
 
I want to donate, but I'm scared to cut my hair

I can definitely relate to this, as silly as it might seem to some people. Especially for women, it's really easy to become attached to our hair as an important part of our femininity and identity, and so, many of us are really curious to cut our hair, but are too scared to go for it. I had always had long hair before I donated it for the first time, and it was thanks to the possibility of donating it that I found the guts to do it. I'm glad I did it, and I'm glad I cut it even shorter on the second time - I'm having a lot of fun with my new bouncy short hair. Don't let your fears stop you from doing something you want to do: hair grows back after all.

Look at my new ethical sneakers from Arcopedico!

I made a video on my experience donating hair on my youtube channel, be sure to check it out if it's something that you're interested in!

Have you ever donated your hair? If you haven't, would you? And don't forget to tell me if I missed any donation center on my list!

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