‘Wigs for Kids’ Event at Ivinson Memorial Hospital October 16

When his niece lost her hair because of chemotherapy, Jeffrey Paul, a Certified Cosmetic Therapist, decided to do something to help her and other kids. So, in 1980 he founded Wigs for Kids to make and distribute wigs designed for kids as they recover from treatment.

Wigs for Kids knows that when a kid loses their hair, there is suffering that goes beyond the physical. “Children shouldn’t have to worry about how they look, especially when they’re in the middle of a health crisis,” says Jeffrey Paul. “We want to give these kids the opportunity to feel good about themselves again.”

The Laramie community can help out too. Ivinson Memorial Hospital is continuing to support Wigs for Kids by again hosting a hair donation event on October 16 at 6:00 PM in the west atrium on IMH.

About 150,000 strands of hair or 12 to 15 ponytails are used in the making of each wig. Wigs for Kids never charges families for wigs; all expenses are covered from donations or from the sale of donated hair that is not usable in wigs such as shorter or gray hair. Recipients must be age 18 or under who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Alopecia, burns or other medical issues.

If you would like to donate your hair at the event, here's what you need to know:

Hair Donation Requirements:

• Hair must be a minimum of 12 inches for proper hair donation length. Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure 12 inches. Grey or shorter hair is accepted and will be sold to offset the manufacturing cost.
• Hair must be clean and dry and cannot be permed, color-treated, bleached or highlighted. Temporary coloring or highlights that wash out are acceptable but must be completely washed out before cutting because it’s not compatible with the manufacturing process.
• Dreadlocks, hair extensions, and synthetic hair cannot be used.

If you'd like to gather pledges for inches cut, pledge sheets are available at the front desk in the IMH Atrium and the funds will be used to support the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center. The monies raised will be used to purchase postsurgical camisoles (one camisole cost about $45), post-mastectomy bras, wigs, hats and do-rags for patients in the region.

The person who donates the most hair and the one who raises the most funds for the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center will receive a free makeover donated by Michael Barbour and his team at the Palatium Hair Studio.

Everyone who will be returning to your daily routine will have your hair shaped after the cut.

Questions contact Chaplain Rhett at 755-4459 or email rhetti@ivinsonhospital.org.