Long hair = BIG love

Shortly after my diagnosis in early April, I had a few friends ask me if they could donate their hair to me for a wig. At the time, I was deeply honored but I was also overwhelmed and desperately hoping chemotherapy would not be in my treatment future. As you know now, that was a pipe dream and wigs are a part of my reality. So, I did some homework. I definitely wanted to use my friends’ hair if they offered it to me, but I wasn’t for sure about the difference between real hair and synthetic wigs.

The more I looked into real hair wigs and consulted with Cathy at Heads Above Salon at OU’s Cancer Center, I realized a synthetic hair wig would be the best option for me. (In case you wanted to know why – real hair wigs can be costly, take up to 6-8 weeks to make, are more delicate than synthetic wigs and are more labor intensive to care for. . . it is, after all, human hair.)

I felt so sad turning down perfectly good hair from my precious friends but the thought of ordering a real hair wig seemed liked a big hurdle when I was already facing a few others. Then, the thought occurred to me – why can’t they donate their hair in my honor and bless another woman facing cancer? After talking with Cathy at Heads Above, she recommended Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program. Pantene’s program is designed specifically to provide real hair wigs to women fighting cancer. Beautiful indeed!! To learn more about how to donate to this tremendous cause, visit http://goo.gl/VwIFT6.

And so, I told my friends about the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. I don’t know the outcome of two of my friends, but I do have evidence from two beautiful friends – Sydney & Debra. Both donated their hair and I am humbled by the love and sacrifice they showed me in their willingness to give me their hair, and then, give it to another incredibly deserving woman in the fight of her life.


Precious Sydney before (my sister’s best friend’s daughter)


Precious Sydney after. I love this cut Syd!! Can’t wait until I can share this hairdo with you again. Happy first day of school!! Love you!


8” of pure love

My cuz, Debra, preparing to lop off her beautiful locks on a recent trip to Argentina.

My beautiful cousin with her equally beautiful daughter, Sofia, and her stylist.

I feel like Debra said it best when I told her I was so sad I wouldn’t be using her hair donation . . .I’ve included what she wrote me in her reply. This is just a beautiful description of her heart and so many of those who have given to me in incredibly sacrificial ways during this unexpected journey.

“You know sometimes when God asks you to give something it is just as much for the giver as the receiver. Maybe God wants me to remember and pray for you more often. Maybe God wants me to appreciate my life more (as you do in the midst of a battle like you are in). Whatever it is, I'm sure that chopping my hair off was the right thing to do.”

I love you, Debra!! I’m thankful to be a recipient of the sacrificial heart I’ve seen you demonstrate throughout your life. It came as no surprise you would be the first person to offer your hair to me. No surprise at all.

If you have ridiculously long hair or if you want to grow it out for a wonderful cause, please look into Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program and make a bald-headed woman, just like me, feel beautiful and hopeful again!

If there is no way your hair will ever be 8” long to donate, I will be providing another way you can give back in a coming post. Two words – Wig Out!