Our stylists donated their time in partnership with UC’s Beautiful Lengths program aiding in the fight against cancer in an unusual way – by cutting their hair.
The News Record – Sunday, March 10, 2013 University of Cincinnati students came together Sunday to fight cancer in an unusual way — by cutting their hair. The UC Beautiful Lengths Campaign, a facet of Pantene Beautiful Lengths — a partnership between Pantene and the American Cancer Society — teamed up with Mitchell’s Salon to host the event where students can donate their hair.
Irini Sfyris, a second-year biomedical engineering student and president of UC Beautiful lengths, donated 8 inches of hair during the event.
“I am asking a lot of others by asking them to donate their hair and I felt I needed to lead by example,” Sfyris said. “The hair we donate today will help empower the women who receive these wigs. Cancer attacks their self-esteem and many feel they lose their identity when they lose their hair.”
Sara Gaugler, a second-year secondary education student and vice president of UC Beautiful lengths, donated 9 inches of hair during the event.
“I have a personal connection with cancer,” Gaugler said. “[Donating hair] is worth it just to make cancer patients feel good again. I’ve seen cancer take so much from a person, not just physically, but in their personality and self-esteem. Having their hair taken from them unwillingly can hurt a person. I want to help in any way I can.”
Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., registered students came in and donated their hair.
The students first had their hair braided by friends, family or volunteers, and the braids were later cut for donation.
Volunteer stylists from Mitchell’s Salon later cut students’ hair.
“Not enough people donate their hair and it’s wonderful to see all these people here today doing something great,” said Cecily Greenfield, a volunteer Mitchell’s Salon stylist. “There is so much we can give by donating hair to someone who doesn’t have any.”
After students had their hair cut, they could fill out an information form to receive a thank-you card. Rictoria Schaad, a first-year biomedical engineering student, donated 9 inches of hair.
“I felt like I could make someone’s dream come true by donating my hair,” Schaad said. “I don’t personally have family with cancer, but if I did, I would want someone to be there to give them the possibility of having hair again.”
Many students felt those with cancer deserved the hair more than they did.
Meredith Schulz, a third-year biomedical engineering student, donated 8 inches of hair.
“My hair is not significant to me, but it is to people with cancer,” Schulz said.
Caroline Cooper, a first-year early childhood education student, donated 8 inches of hair.
“It is a good feeling — better than cutting my hair for nothing,” Cooper said.
Those who donated their hair received a Pantene Beautiful Lengths T-shirt, headbands and free sample products. Participants also received two service hours.
Last year 30 people came to the event, but this year more than 40 people attended.
Sarah Gillespie, a fourth-year piano performance student, donated 13 inches of hair.
“A lot of women don’t want to go through with chemotherapy because they will lose their hair,” Gillespie said. “It’s a worthwhile cause to do something that will give them an incentive to go through with a treatment that might help them defeat their cancer.”
