Hair donation for cancer patient

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

A family friend of ours was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer at the age of 45. Doctors are trying to keep her hopeful, but also told her to go do her will. She got a tripple whammy, cervical cancer, breast cancer, think the third one is bladder(?). She is not expected to make it, she wants to have a wig made before she starts losing her hair.

She asked if I would grow my hair out to be able to have a wig made, but we are pretty sure that mine is too short to grow out in time :cry3:. But I told her I would see if I could find someone similar to our hair color. She doesn't want to go buy a wig from a random store, she is set on having one made.

So, if you are considering getting a hair cut and have long hair please consider helping. I'm sure it would mean a lot to her to have it come from someone who loves animals as much as she does.

 

[alli713]

To make a wig, you're going to have to have more than one person. It takes about 12 ponytails worth of hair to make a wig.

But you didn't say what color you needed, it appears black though?

 

[lauralynne]

Have you checked with Locks of Love?

 

[cindyv3737]

Locks of Love is a great place to contact. That is who I have donated my hair to in the past. You about 12 ponytails that are at least a foot long.

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.

 

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

I will go search up Locks of love.

Her hair is a very dark brown, almost black.

 

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

Taken from their site "Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis."

 

[Laurie]

Phoenix, she will lose her hair starting after her 3rd chemo treatment. If she has at least 2 chemo treatments all her hair will be gone. There is honestly no way they will have a wig made in this short time.

Is this one cancer that has spread to these areas? Many times one cancer spreads to other areas such as breast cancer spreading to brain, liver and lung but it is still breast cancer. Stage III is not necessarily terminal. Have they diagnosed her as terminal?

I'm sorry this is happening to your friend. Would you mind sharing her name with me--PM if you'd like. I would like to pray for her, Phoenix.

And also to anyone reading this post--no matter what, don't ever give up hope! They best weapon we have against cancer is the willingness to fight!

 

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

It takes about 12 ponytails worth of hair to make a wig.

That's so sad ..... Guess I will find 12 someones then.

Would anyone be willing to send cards? She doesn't know that many ladies, it just doesn't seem like the guys are really supportive - well, they are but in the guy way, not how us ladies need it :/. Thinking might be neat to stock pile bunches of cards from people and take over a big box of happy thoughts.

I'm not sure what type of other things to see if I can collect for her. She's not the type of person to tell us what she needs, or even ask. Any thoughts?

 

[addictedtochins]

I'm so sorry this is happening to her. What a good friend you are. Yeah, you are right about guys, she needs some Girl Power*

Would anyone be willing to send cards?

I would love to do that. $5-10 gift cards are fun to spend also.

 

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

Is this one cancer that has spread to these areas? Many times one cancer spreads to other areas such as breast cancer spreading to brain, liver and lung but it is still breast cancer. Stage III is not necessarily terminal. Have they diagnosed her as terminal?

She didn't really want to talk a lot about the details, she answered our questions really vaguely, but mostly wanted to talk about her critters :cry3:. I didn't want to push if she didn't want to talk about it then. By how she said it, it sounded like the breast and cervical were seperate, then one of those spread to her bladder.

She did tell me that this is not her first time having cancer and that she probably won't make it to her 50th birthday. She went in for a 3-in-1 sugery, they did something with her bladder, took out her internal "girly" parts, and something with external "girly" parts.

To me, it honestly sounded like the doctor said she was terminal, but she isn't ready to accept that. She said that she hope it's not her time, God put her here to take care of the animals. But if it's her time to go, she's not afraid of dying, and God will have a special place for her with the animals in heaven. :cry3:.

Even if there's not much time for her to get a wig before her hair starts falling out... I'll still try to help her get enough hair to get one made, as that is the only thing she said she wanted.

 

[alli713]

Yeah, Locks of Love actually isn't that great of an organization. They get so many donations they actually sell most of it to wig makers. Then the wigs they do make, they make the children's families pay for. And cancer patients are not eligible, it's only for those with permanent hair loss like alopecia. They are more in it for the money.

I'm donating my hair in October, to Wigs For Kids, because they do give wigs away to children with cancer.

However my hair is a medium brown.

 

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

Yeah, Locks of Love actually isn't that great of an organization. They get so many donations they actually sell most of it to wig makers. Then the wigs they do make, they make the children's families pay for. And cancer patients are not eligible, it's only for those with permanent hair loss like alopecia. They are more in it for the money.

I found lots of information supporting your statement... I didn't post it cuz I wasn't sure if I'd get snipped at or in trouble. :/ So yes, just saying I have found information that supports alli's statement.

 

[Laurie]

I'm sorry this is happening Phoenix, it is very hard to face sometimes. It's good she still has some fight in her, and having the surgery helps too! I will keep her in my prayers. I know she will go to a better place when it is her time and she will then be forever cancer FREE!

 

[3CsMommy]

Try here: http://www.cancer.org/Search/index?QueryText=wigs&x=0&y=0

This is where we got my grandmother's wig the second time she had cancer. This is also the group that got 18" of my hair donated after she passed.

Also, since she's worried about her pets: http://www.animallaw.info/topics/spuswillstrusts.htm That site should help her start getting squared in her mind what she needs to do to see that her furbabies are looked after if this is her last great fight.

 

[addictedtochins]

A wonderful friend of mine Dale Price has been battling cancer for over 2 years, he has this wonderful web page that keeps everyone up to date on what is going on
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/daleprice
Here is the home page to sign up. I think it's free but I'm not sure
http://www.caringbridge.org/

 

[Jazicat]

I am so sorry your friend is going through this but is very lucky to have you. I have long hair and am ready for a change. I am not sure I could get 12 inches but if they can accept 10 you can have it. My hair is much lighter with lots of gray but maybe it could be dyed or traded for the right color. I also would love to send a handmade card if you'd like to send me your address by Pm.

 

[caiti]

If I had darker hair I would consider it. I have blonde hair and I guess it could be dyed after being cut I'd just assume the dye would eventually wash out and she's have to dye her wig which would be annoying for her. My hair is sort of long, I would probably have a pixie cut if I had to cut off 12" though!!

I am very sorry for you and your friend. I hope she makes it, and if not I hope you and her family and friends can get through it. You seem like a very good friend to her.

 

[~*=Phoenix=*~]

Jazi... the thought made me laugh.. I can picture her going "I'll just have them use that for highlights" lol. Or she'd go "I'll just tell them to dye it, I'll be the one wearing it, not them!" I can also picture her saying "who cares about split ends!! It will look more like my natural hair!"

It is really the thought that counts, at this point I'm gonna go with the attitude of send it anyways and we will see. I think that it would be just as touching to have someone willing to do that.

Given part of her heritage, I can see her making it into some type of artwork if it can't be used for a wig, and being like "this person was willing to help".

 

[Jazicat]

I'd be happy to send a pony tail even if it's just to give her a good laugh over the white in my hair. Or I could donate it to a charity of her choice that makes wigs in her name. What ever you think would be best. I've been complaining my hair is too long for a while so this is a good excuse to finally do something about it and help someone who can use it. I'll also start working one something for your happy thoughts box as soon as I finish my homework.

 

[Dolyphinm]

Try pantene's beautiful lengths, for women with cancer. It is specific for what your friend is sadly enduring.

I am sorry for your friend's tough battle. She will be in my thoughts.