The Beautiful Lengths Challenge
Working in the healthcare field, and especially this month since I'm currently rotating at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, it is all too apparent the effect that cancer has on more than just one's body. And then you start chemotherapy, which has its own set of hardships associated with it.
Certain types of chemotherapy result in total hair loss, and though it may seem trivial in the face of cancer, it is an outward symbol of a very personal, and very private battle for life. Some people want to keep that battle private, and not have their baldness be a label or beacon--while still others prefer to display their battle with gusto.
No matter their preference, every cancer fighter deserves a chance at beautiful hair, and that's why I've teamed up with Pantene to encourage you to participate in their Beautiful Lengths #8or8 challenge. It's pretty great, and I'm going to tell you why.
National Donate Your Hair Day is September 8, 2015
September 8 also marks the beginning of the Pantene Beautiful Lengths $8 or 8” Challenge which asks people to give $8 or cut and donate 8’’ of hair to create free, real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer.
You can donate your hair, or you can not donate your hair. Either way, you have the ability to help. Donate 8 inches of your ponytail, OR if you're like me and don't have eight inches of length to spare, you can donate $8. Eight bucks, people. And it goes a long way toward giving a woman or child the hope of some semblance of normalcy in their darkest hour.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths Program
The Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, or PBL, launched in 2006 and is dedicated to providing free, real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.
Since the start of the program, more than 42,000 real-hair wigs have been provided to female cancer patients for free.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths Fund
Since 2014, Pantene has given those who are unable to donate their hair the ability to help cancer patients by using the fund to help create more real-hair wigs for women.
Want to Donate? Here's How
- Each hair donation must be at least 8 inches long
- Hair may be colored with vegetable dyes, rinses and semi-permanent dyes. It cannot be bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated
- Gray hair is difficult to use in the wig-making process, so hair may not be more than 5% gray at the time of donation
Let's Get Involved
To get involved with the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program:
- Donate your hair to the cause
- Make a monetary donation to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Fund
- Help spread the word by telling others about the campaign
- To find out more ways and how you can help, please visit www.pantene.com
Ponytails can be sent to:
Pantene Beautiful Lengths
Attn: 192-123
806 SE 18th Ave.
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Monetary donations can be sent to:
Pantene Beautiful Lengths Fund
c/o Greater Cincinnati Foundation
200 W 4th Street,
Cincinnati, OH 45202-2775