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Sooke family donates hair to B.C. Cancer Agency

B.C. Cancer Agency’s wig program helps cancer patients regain their image.

When haircut day came around for Danielle Dumonte’s young daughters, she thought to change it up a bit: donate the cut hair to the B.C. Cancer Agency’s wig program that helps cancer patients regain their image.

“The idea came out of thin air. I made the appointment, but it hit me ... instead of having the hair hit the floor, why not see if we can donate it,” Dumonte said, before booking the appointment for her girls, Seayena, 7 and Savanah, 5.

As it turns out, both were “pretty pumped” about their mom’s suggestion, so yesterday, the locks came off.

“I’ve set up an online fundraiser, Melo hair will cut their hair, make a little poster and get a little donation box next door,” Dumonte said, adding that the hair must be at least eight inches in length for it to qualify for a proper donation. Cash donations are encouraged, as all will go to the cancer agency.

Dumont said it’s not only for a good cause, but it also helps teach youth some of the realities of cancer and how some treatments work.

“I want to tell them a bit more about cancer, and that the medicine these people need makes them lose their hair. By cutting our hair, we can donate it to the people who make wigs, and they can feel special again.”

“Why not donate [your hair] if you have enough of it?” she chuckled.

B.C. Cancer Agency centres do not accept hair donations, however, if you wish to donate for use in making wigs, address to “Hair Donation Program” Eva and Co. Wigs, 107-950 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1K7, or Havana Technical Hair Design, 4889 Slocan Street, Vancouver, V5R 2A2.

Donors must follow a set of criteria, such as: hair must be at least eight inches in length, it has to be clean, dry, untreated hair (not permed or coloured) and to be mailed in a padded package.