Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Every day thousands of cancer patients across the United States are dealing with hair loss associated with treatment. This is a difficult reality for some patients to deal with so they turn to wearing wigs to feel like their old self.  Wigs can be purchased through companies both online and local, but the American Cancer Society offers free wigs to cancer patients everywhere.  Even though the wigs offered at local ACS offices are free, the hair has to come from somewhere to make them.  One of the ways to get real human hair to make free wigs for cancer patients, is through Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.

Men and women donate at least 8" of hair to the program, and the hair is then structured into a wig.  All of the wigs (over 24,000 and counting!) are set to the American Cancer Society's wig banks which are then distributed across the country. (Want to read more? Click here) That means thousands of cancer patients have access to free wigs because of the generous donation of others.

This summer as I was growing out my hair for my wedding I decided that I would let it grow even longer and donate it. This was not the first time I donated my hair to Beautiful Lengths, I cut my hair in August 2008 as well.  I donate my in memory of my grandmother who lost her hair more than once because of chemo treatment.  I figure if I'm lucky enough to still have long thick hair, then I can donate it and make someone else's day better when they receive that free wig. My mom and Sister have also donated their hair and I wouldn't be surprised if they both do it again.

Before

After

 I highly recommend that at least once in your life you grow out your hair and donate it.  You have no idea how much you will change someone's life simply be getting a hair cut.

For more information on free wigs and where to get them if you or a loved one is going through cancer treatment, visit Cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week!).

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Until We Find a Cure

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the American Cancer Society has a breast cancer event called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. I had the honor of interning with the Baltimore event helping with recruitment during the summer of 2010 but was unable to attend the event that October.  This year however my mom and I decided that since I was free (and actually already home that weekend) that we would form a team and participate!

Debbie, Joanne, and BJ

Team Joanne's Journey was created in honor of my mom's friend Joanne who is a breast cancer survivor. This year's event not only meant a milestone for Joanne, getting through treatment, but the date of the event landed on her birthday! We made sure that she was decked out in a birthday hat, sash, and lots of pink!!

Mom and I also participated in memory of her mom (my grandmother), who battled breast cancer.  Even though she is not with us anymore, we know that she was looking over us as we walked on October 14th, and every day.

Joanne's Journey

Making Strides is not at all like Relay For Life but it was a ton of fun! Thousands of people decked out in pink walked a 4 more course through Baltimore City showing the community why we want to find a cure for breast cancer. I cannot wait to participate again!


Want to help in the fight against breast cancer? Make a donation today!

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Until We Find a Cure