Josie Jorgensen donates to Locks of Love

Josie Jorgensen with her donation
Janelle Jorgensen photos

Toni Lucas

Josie Jorgensen (5 and a half) attends French immersion kindergarten at St. Michael's.  Her hair reached down past her tailbone and one day she decided to get a haircut and donate her hair to make wigs for others who can not grow their own.

Josie pre-cut

When asked who she was giving the hair to, she said "To cancer, because I want to."  The hair will be sent to Locks of Love, a not for profit that  provides wigs and other hairpieces to children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.  Josie was delighted when she found out that it was going to help other children.

Josie's mother Janelle said that Josie chose to do this on her own, and her daughter was excited about it.  Josie was not concerned as she knows that her hair will grow back.  "They can't grow it."

According to the Locks of Love website 6 - 10 ponytails are used to create one hairpiece. The retail price of a single hairpiece of the quality that the company distributes is between $3,500 and $6,000.  As wigs are mainly made for adults, children are often faced with issues about sizing a wig properly and having it stay secure.

Lisa Stuckey shaping the style

Hair stylist Lisa Stuckey of Providence Salon and Spa said that the Salon usually sends donated hair to Locks of Love, and that for a donation a minimum of 8 inches in hair length must go into the ponytail.  Most of the recipient children of Locks of Love suffer from an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata, which causes the hair follicles to shut down. Others have experienced hair loss from radiation therapy and chemotherapy, severe burns or trauma, and various other genetic and dermatological conditions.

A model citizen

Related Link:  Locks of Love