The Hair Club for Women

As some of you may remember from The Simple Blog, a couple of my favorite former Simple employees and I are growing out our manes in order to donate to Locks of Love. We're doing this in honor of loved ones who are (or were) battling cancer. Megan's mom is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, as is my adorable sister-in-law Becky. Wendy's mom is a breast cancer survivor, which gives both Megan and I lots of hope. Our hair donations won't benefit them directly of course, but doing this makes us feel useful in some teeny, tiny way.

Meet Becky, age 29, and my cute niece Jensyn, age 4:

Last October, Becky was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She's handling everything like a champ. Her attitude is so incredibly inspiring. I find myself thinking, "If Becky can handle cancer, I can handle going to the stupid gym for an hour. If Becky can handle cancer, I can train for a half marathon for the first time in my life." I don't have any excuses, not anymore. Right before Becky started losing her hair, she got a super-short haircut that she'd never dare try any other time. It was adorable. And when she went wig shopping, she decided to try out life as a redhead, just for the variety. In this picture, she's wearing her blond "hat wig."

And all I'm doing is growing out my stupid hair. Here's my latest measure-in:

Looks like I'm pushing 8 or 8 1/2 inches! That's definite progress since last time. Thanks to my friend (and Simple alum) Rachel for taking this photo for me while we were out to lunch today. Who's that peeking over my shoulder? Rachel's daughter, Shelby Kate. She loves me.

Here's my first measure-in photo, taken on a rare curly hair day:

I'd say 6 1/2 or 7 inches at most. Not bad for just two months of prenatal vitamins and daily hair-lengthening exercises. Never heard of hair-lengthening? You tie mini weights to the ends of your hair, and then flex your scalp for 10-15 minutes a day. You're right, I just made that up.

Throughout this process, Megan, Wendy, and I promise to post our updates and share our hair-growing progress. (Grow, hair, grow!) When we reach the 10-inch ponytail goal and head to the hairdresser for some funky new 'dos, we'll share our before and after photos.

Until then, think looooong thoughts for us. And, if you're so inclined, join the Facebook group Megan set up. If you feel like growing out your hair, we'd love to have you along for the ride.

Lucas out.

Comments

[JulieP]

What a fabulous, thoughtful and selfless thing to do!!

[Liz Oram]

Good for you guys!! I am growing my hair back out-I donated 12 inches a little over a year ago. I plan on doing it again everytime it grows out :0)! Good luck!!

[Sherri]

Are you really taking prenatal vitamins?

[Brenda]

My now 8 year old daughter donated 11" last year (when she was 7) because her friend's mom was battling breast cancer! Her generosity amazed me and so does yours!! I'm happy to say that our friend is a breast cancer survivor and her hair is even growing back! Good wishes and prayers to your sister-in-law, I hope she wins her battle too!!

[Linda Barber]

Since I see you measuring from the bottom of your head, I'm assuming you are going for a short cut? Because I think you'd look super cute with a short haircut. :)

[Melissa]

Please, sometime, address the word "literally". I hear it misused by journalists all.the.time! Perhaps somewhat similar to my my misuse of punctuation in that last sentence.
The most recent was at the beginning of March when I heard a CNN journalist exclaim, "Well, March is literally coming in like a lion!"
Really?
Just how did it do that?!?!

Thank you!! :-)

[Elisha Snow]

True story: my hair stops growing when it gets to my shoulders. I asked my hairdresser about it once and she just said, "some people's hair is like that." Um...okay. How I wish I could participate in something like this, though!

[Melissa A]

What a valiant cause!

I know no one is asking my opinion, but I'm going to offer it. :) I personally do not think Locks of Love is the ideal organization to choose in honor or memory of cancer survivors. Locks of Love is a great organization, except they are dedicated to making wigs for children with *permanent* hair loss (such as alopecia), not children with temporary hair loss as in from chemotherapy. They do mention on their website that they do make synthetic wigs available for kids going through chemo, on the basis of financial need. This is NOT where the donated hair goes.

If anyone is looking for an organization that actually makes human hair wigs for children wigsforkids.org is well respected group that receives much less publicity. Also, Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program mostly makes human hair wigs for women going through cancer treatment. They make their wigs available for NO COST at all (no financial aid forms to fill out) through the American Cancer Society. The website is www.beautifullengths.com.

[Ami Pilon]

Several years ago I sent a 13" braid to Wigs for Kids. They were very appreciative and I felt great both growing it and cutting it. It is a great gift, keep hanging those weights.

[Jori]

That is so fabulous! My hair is getting long right now. I was going to lop it off but you have inspired me to keep it growing.

[emily pitts]

i'm impressed that your hair grows that fast. mine is pretty pitiful comparatively speaking. i had to giggle at your hair workout regimen.

[kmethot]

To Elisha Snow and others, like me, who can't grow long hair for a great cause....In Biology class my son learned that hair growth occurs in a cycle. Each hair grows for a certain amount of time, usually between two and four years, and then the follicle enters a period of dormancy during which the hair falls out. Consequently, some of us can grow long hair and some of us cannot. This hair growth cycle is hereditary.

Anyway, I've been wondering about that my whole life, and now I know. It's amazing the little things you learn, or relearn, when you homeschool.

[Megan Hoeppner]

Hip hooray, Ang! Your hair is on fire! I have a feeling you're going to beat me to the finish line. I can't wait to see the new do. :)

[Kylie]

I too am growing my hair. I have always had fairly long hair and last year was going to cut it, but I decided to wait just a little bit longer and once I do cut it donate it to a charity similar to this. I then fell pregnant and didn't cut my hair throughout my pregnancy (old wives tale.) I am now not pregnant (instead I have a little boy who is 3 weeks old!) and now have approx 15in. to cut off to donate. :-)

[Anna Beth]

Good for you for doing this!! I was trying to do this but I cannot seem to deal with my hair the last two inches or so. Then I chop it all off and vow to try again later....

[Ilona]

Just 2 weeks ago I donated 10 inches. I had been growing mine out for about 2 years. Now I have a sassy bob that I love and it does feel so good to make a donation. My 10 year old daughter donated 12 inches in January! We had been growing it out together. I donated to locks of love because I know a girl who has alopecia and it is devestating for a young girl to all of a sudden lose their hair.

[reyanna]

Ohmigoodness, Angie! You totally made me LOL about the "hair lengthening exercises." Too funny.

I donated mine in 2004. I cut off 19 inches... donated 15 (the other four inches was in shambles from the style I chose). I really wanted to grow it again (and started to...), but that whole 19 inches was a rat's nest. I had to brush it like 20 times a day, so I just kept it in a bun for over a year. LOL. I love my short 'do now though.

I think it's so awesome when people have hair that is actually able to grow beyond shoulder length! And it's so cool that y'all are growing it together. Makes it more fun! :)

Oh! And thanks for visiting my blog. I had so much fun with that post on organization. :D

[Lain]

Of COURSE Shelby loves you! Who wouldn't??? ;)