One day after her 15th birthday, Cumming resident, Cosette Scutt, gave a very special gift of love to a child in need....
Cumming Resident, Cosette Scutt, is very familiar with Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that makes wigs for financially disadvantaged children who suffer from long term hair loss. Cosette recently donated her hair for the fourth time, bringing her hair donation total to 4 feet. Cosette recalls that “the first time I donated my long hair I was six years old. Since then, I’ve been growing my hair to the point where I can make 12 inch donations, a little more than the 10 inch minimum.” The mission of Locks of Love is to “return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children.” The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.
These hairpieces are custom, vacuum-fitted, made entirely from donated human hair. The vacuum fit is designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of tape or glue. Most of the applicants suffer from an auto-immune condition called alopecia areata, for which there is no known cause or cure. Others have suffered severe burns, or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem, in addition to many other dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss.
Locks of Love has been operating since 1998 and has already provided hairpieces for more than 2,000 children in all 50 states and Canada, thanks to the generosity of people like Cosette. In fact, approximately 80 percent of the donors are children.
When asked why she continues to donate her hair, Cosette said “It feels good to know that I can make a difference in another kid’s life. The wigs themselves cost thousands of dollars to make so I encourage anyone who can’t make a hair donation to consider a monetary donation. Giving the gift of a child’s self esteem is giving them a gift that lasts their lifetime.”
If you are interested in donating hair, please follow the guidelines below (or visit the website: www.locksoflove.org).
GUIDELINES:
1. The donated hair must be at least 10 inches (preferably 12") in length.
2. It must be bundled in a pony tail or braid.
3. Hair must be free of bleach (colored and permed hair is acceptable).
4. The hair must be clean and dry, placed in a plastic bag, and mailed in a padded envelope to:
Locks of Love
2925 10th Avenue N., Suite 102
Lake Worth, FL 33461-3099
