Viewpoint: If you've got it, chop it

You know that stuff that grows out of your head that you can cut, color, twist, and even get bubble gum stuck in? For most of us, hair grows back without a problem, but for others, hair is a luxury.

Hair can be a symbol of power, of beauty, of individuality. Hair is often the factor that makes someone stand out in a crowd -- something that many of us take for granted.

Countless individuals around the world are hairless because of medical ailments that are completely out of their power. Cancer, alopecia and severe burns often strip children completely of their confidence, sense of identity and, most of importantly, hope.

While the complete cure for cancer and alopecia remain a mystery, research is most certainly a work in progress.

Recently, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project made major progress in the battle against cancer. The three-year project, launched in 2010 to study normal and tumor genomes, has given new understanding to childhood cancers.

Is it in the stars? Free Daily and Monthly Horoscopes

By thoroughly analyzing the genetic makeup of medulloblastoma, the most common form of pediatric brain cancer, researchers were able to see what actually makes these brain tumors tick. With this new understanding comes new potential drug targets, or molecules that are specifically linked to a disease, for medulloblastoma.

Because these new hot spots have been identified, cancer treatments can be designed more effectively. While this news brings a renewed sense of hope for many, cancer hasn’t even blinked an eye -- or spared any lives -- because of the breakthrough.

So what can we do to help in the meantime?

There are numerous hair donation organizations across the country that use hair donations to create wigs for children suffering from medical hair loss. Locks of Love, the most well-known non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the U.S. and Canada, has helped over 3,000 kids regain their self-assuredness with personalized wigs.

Wigs for Kids, The Childhood Leukemia Foundation and Pantene Beautiful Lengths are just a few of the other options potential donors have to give their hair a second life.

So, the questions is, if we have the ability to grow our hair out, why not chop it off for a good cause? Sure, “long hair don’t care” may not be your preferred style, but how big of a sacrifice is it to let your locks flow for a few months longer than normal? After all -- for most people -- hair grows back.

Most organizations only require an eight-inch donation of unbleached hair and the willingness to make a major change in your physical appearance.

Before I step into the real world at the end of this year and, hopefully, land a big girl job, I plan to chop it all off for a good cause. After all, hair does grow back and it’s always fun to change things up every once in a while -- especially when it’s for a good cause.

Kelly Jo Stroemel, a rising junior at Washington College, decided to make a major change in her appearance this past May when she made her first donation to Locks of Love.

Instead of going to her hairdresser, Stroemel chose to part with her long, brunette locks at her school’s Relay for Life, a community-wide event that celebrates the lives of those who have lost battles to cancer while raising money to battle the disease.

Stroemel, a human development major graduating in 2014, said the reason behind shedding 11 inches of her hair hit a little closer to home than most donors.

“My mom is a survivor of breast cancer and I know a lot of people that have been affected by cancer,” Stoemel said. “Both of my parents attended Relay for Life and my mom actually cut my hair for me.”

Stroemel and more than forty other individuals at Washington College decided to cut their hair for a cause, giving Locks of Love the ability to make almost seven hair pieces, as each requires six to ten snippets of hair to complete.

“I plan on doing it again once my hair grows out again,” Stroemel said. “Hair is just hair. You know, it’s not that important to me, but it’s important to other people. So if I can do as much good as I can in my life, it’s all worth it.”

Lauren Kukkamaa, the communications director for Locks of Love for six years, said she has seen countless success stories that have come to fruition simply because of hair donations.

Kukkamaa told the story of one individual, a cheerleader, with a synthetic hairpiece who darted at the sight of rain, fearing her wig would be ruined. After receiving her Locks of Love hairpiece, Kukkamaa said the girl had a renewed sense of confidence and a tremendous weight was lifted off her shoulders, as she could finally take her eyes off the sky.

Before becoming a household name, the organization originally made a profit off of surplus hair, Kukkamaa said. In 1997, despite still-circulating rumors, Locks of Love decided to officially become a non-profit entity to better serve the needs of its customers.

“It’s something that anyone can do,” Kukkamaa said. “It doesn’t matter your age, your gender, your socioeconomic status and it’s certainly a great way for people to get involved and give back.”

So what’s the downfall?

The follow-up process is a bit limited. Donors usually aren’t given the opportunity to track down their hair after it has been manufactured and transformed into a customized hair piece by a private entity.

Selflessly, students all across America have offered their sense of comfort simply for the betterment of another’s life. So, why not grow your hair out if you’re still in school? Now is the prime time to let your hair down and, eventually, do something for the greater good.

So, research, talk to your friends and find the organization that best fits your needs in helping someone regain their confidence, sense of identity and, ultimately, hope.

Dayle Duggins is a Summer 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about her here.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.