Donating hair or a wig is a meaningful action that supports individuals experiencing medical hair loss due to conditions like alopecia, cancer treatments, or severe burns. This gesture helps restore a sense of normalcy and self-esteem for recipients navigating challenging health circumstances. The process involves ensuring the donated item meets specific criteria and is sent to a reputable organization. Understanding these requirements is the first step in making a successful contribution.
Identifying Reputable Donation Organizations
Donors should first select a non-profit organization whose mission aligns with their intent for the donation. Several large charities provide custom-made hairpieces to specific demographics. Wigs for Kids creates custom hair replacement systems for children with medical hair loss. They require a minimum of 12 inches of hair to ensure high-quality, durable pieces, focusing exclusively on the pediatric population.
Locks of Love serves children under 21 with long-term medical hair loss, providing custom-fitted prosthetic hairpieces. They generally accept hair that is at least 10 inches long and may accept chemically treated hair, though donors should verify current guidelines. Children With Hair Loss provides free wigs to individuals under 21. This organization accepts a broader range of donations, including hair as short as 8 inches and pieces that have been dyed or permed, provided the hair remains in good condition.
For donors supporting both adults and children, Hair We Share provides custom wigs for individuals of all ages experiencing medical hair loss. This group accepts naturally colored, permed, or gray hair, but strictly rejects hair that has been bleached or chemically lightened. Donors with a gently used or new wig can look to organizations like EBeauty, which operates an online wig exchange program to circulate donated wigs to cancer patients.
Essential Requirements for Wig Donations
The physical criteria for a donation, whether a completed wig or raw hair, are specific to ensure the material can craft a high-quality hairpiece. For hair donations, the minimum length requirement is the most common constraint, typically 8 to 12 inches. This length is measured from the secured ponytail to the ends and is necessary because hair shrinks during the wig-making process.
The condition of the hair is equally significant; all donations must be clean, completely dry, and free from styling products like hairspray or gel. Wet hair is not accepted because it molds quickly during transit, rendering it unusable. Policies regarding chemical treatment vary; some organizations accept colored or permed hair, while others, like Wigs for Kids, require the hair to be completely natural.
Most organizations strictly prohibit accepting hair that has been bleached or highlighted, as this causes irreparable damage to the hair shaft. Gray hair is generally accepted by many major organizations, but donors should check specific guidelines for restrictions before cutting. Completed wig donations must be in good, clean condition, free of excessive wear, and are generally accepted if they are gently used human hair or synthetic pieces.
Preparing and Submitting Your Donation
Proper preparation is crucial, as improper packaging can damage the hair during shipping. When donating hair, it must be secured tightly into one or more ponytails or braids before cutting. Securing the hair with multiple rubber bands, spaced a few inches apart along the length, is recommended to prevent strands from falling out.
Cut the hair about an inch above the top elastic band to keep the ponytail intact. Once cut and confirmed completely dry, place the hair in a sealed plastic bag to protect it from moisture and tangling during shipping. This sealed bag should then be placed inside a padded envelope or small box for mailing to prevent crushing or damage.
Most organizations require a printed donation form or release that must be included with the package, providing the donor’s contact information and sometimes a tracking ID. This paperwork is necessary to process the donation and acknowledge the gift. Donors should consult the organization’s website for the correct mailing address and to determine if they can receive a tax-deductible receipt for their contribution.