QuoteReplyTopic: Donating hair Posted: September 03 2004 at 2:54am
If you want my two cents, I think it's all propganda. If anyone ever tells anyoen with long hair to cut it for charity. and gives you the Cancer and the kids bit. it's b.s . Maybe instead of focusing on the cosmetics and displacement of hair people should be pressuring our lawmakers and pharamcutical companies to come clean on the prescription meds that cause cancer and our envorimental factors. Cancer is a multi million dollar business. Maybe if They actually cured cancer there'd be no need for wigs. If only as much time was devoted to finding cures to cancer then chopping hair off our planet would be cancer free by now.
Yeah since I got long hair I do get tolled that by my best friend that i should chop it all off and donate it to Locks of Love. Personally, I don't really like that charity and I don't think that I could just go and chop off my long hair so that some kid could have my hair. I mean its to bad that they can't have hair like mine, but still theirs no reason for people to be pressuring me to do something totally crazy like that. I wouldn't cut my hair off never in a million years, I love it the way it is, and the only time i'll cut it is if and when i need a trim.
Lies. They tell you that your hair will be made into a wig for a child with cancer. It will not.
Not gonna get into the whole scam/non-scam issue on LoL since we've beaten that to death repeatedly on here. However, I would interject that if you go to the LoL site, NOWHERE does it say they create wigs for kids with cancer. In fact, they state on the front page of the site who they do make wigs for.
If people donate their hair simply because they think it's for kids with cancer and feel burned afterwards, it's the same as not investigating ANY charity before you make ANY type of donation. Know what your time, money, old furniture, old clothes, and, yes, your hair are going for before you donate. If you disagree with their practices, don't donate.
However, hear-say, rumors, and innuendo don't do any charity any good, be it LoL or The American Cancer Society. And, for what it's worth, I haven't heard of any legitimate charity stirring up the venom (founded or unfounded) that LoL has around here. Heck, office workers don't complain about the hard core campaigns for United Way this much.
JF
3 pm is simultaneously too late and too early to start anything.
Bob S
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Great job, eKatherine! I'm sure your letter will be grist for many discussions, and will prevent women who love their hair from needless heartache. That took lots of courage to write that letter. Thanks from one who deplores scams. Bob
eKatherine
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I substituted in a 1st/2nd grade multi-age class this June. I was a little surprised to notice that so many of the girls had short, choppy hair, as long hair is very common around her on girls that age.
Then the teacher I was team-teaching with told me that all the girls in both classes had donated their hair to Locks of Love, and it was going to be made into wigs for children with cancer.
Lies. They tell you that your hair will be made into a wig for a child with cancer. It will not.
I read this week about a woman who grew her hair long and donated to LoL because her sister had cancer, and even though her sister had a treatment that did not cause her to lose her hair, she decided to donate for the children who had lost their hair.
And where did she hear about LoL? At the school she works at, the girls regularly donate their hair.
It is inappropriate to pressure girls to cut their hair in a school setting, especially when the chances are that the hair will be thrown away as unsuitable, or end up as extensions on the heads of actresses. But it happens all the time.
I wrote a letter to the editor that got published.
Just looking for a few good hair slaves - is that too much to ask?
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Some comments below:
"Some of us have done research on the organizations in question. A lot of research. Just because the details have not been revealed within this conversation thread do not conclusively prove that we are operating solely on hearsay. And no one has offered evidence to refute the claims made here, either."
Fair enough. But if I don't see the research, I call it hearsay. No offense intended.
"However, in many cases, the reality is not quite so comforting. I am aware of countless instances in which long-haired women have been pushed, badgered, cajoled, and guilt-tripped into a haircut "decision." These confrontations are usually initiated by well-meaning but inconsiderate people who falsely assume that they perform valuable service by outright telling others (over whom they hold no position of authority) what to do. I do not look favorably upon the reality of this solicitation process."
Don't get me started on how non-profits solicit, whether for cash or hair. What you describe has nothing to do with hair- I am subject to the same type of solicitations for cash.
And sure, people butt into other's business all the time. Again, not specific to this issue.
"Your claim is misleading. Their net cash pile (unused cash resources) increased by $212K for FY2000. Even if they sold no hair, they would have increased their cash pile. Selling hair merely served to further pad their bottom line. "
Maybe I missed something. Wouldn't be the first time. Overall, my read on the report didn't see anything amiss. Having a $200K war chest isn't an issue by itself, as long as they keep up the percentage going to the actual program work. If a non-profit starts putting that money to non-program work, then I'll scream as loud as the next guy.
"No offense taken. Merely adding to the info in hopes of achieving a "fair and balanced" perspective on the issue."
Ooooh, "fair and balanced" feels like a tarnished phrase in today's environment. But I agree, shedding light is always a good idea.
FWIW, my hair is longer now than it has been in my previous 40 years, and I ain't through growing. It will not be donated anywhere when I am done with it.
As always, YMMV.
Mr. Happy
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Some of us have done research on the organizations in question. A lot of research. Just because the details have not been revealed within this conversation thread do not conclusively prove that we are operating solely on hearsay. And no one has offered evidence to refute the claims made here, either.
You wrote, "By encouraging hair donations, they allow some people, who cannot or choose not to make a cash contribution, to participate in giving."
Well, that's certainly a very favorable way to describe the solicitation process. However, in many cases, the reality is not quite so comforting. I am aware of countless instances in which long-haired women have been pushed, badgered, cajoled, and guilt-tripped into a haircut "decision." These confrontations are usually initiated by well-meaning but inconsiderate people who falsely assume that they perform valuable service by outright telling others (over whom they hold no position of authority) what to do. I do not look favorably upon the reality of this solicitation process.
You wrote, "According to the BBB report, the sales of hair in 2002, provided over $150K for their work. Over 90% of that money supports their programs."
Your claim is misleading. Their net cash pile (unused cash resources) increased by $212K for FY2000. Even if they sold no hair, they would have increased their cash pile. Selling hair merely served to further pad their bottom line.
No offense taken. Merely adding to the info in hopes of achieving a "fair and balanced" perspective on the issue.
Gormlaith
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One person told me nicely once about donating my hair, she said "If you ever cut it, you could donate it." That "if" was thoughtful and considerate. She respectfully offered an alternative to consider if my hair was ever to be thrown out. It was a complimentary and pleasant interaction and I'm hoping you get those sorts.
However, should you need a response with emphasis consider offering the following. "These organizations get so much hair from people *wanting* to donate that excess ponytails may be sold to cover the wig production costs. You can save them that work by writing them a check directly." Say that sweetly and really drive them up the wall. If they really believe it is a worthy cause they get to do the donating, badgering someone else does not count as a good deed.
If they don't take you up on that offer you can always tell them you will keep their fondness for that charity in mind next time they have a birthday. Because they are always thinking of how to help others, donate in their honor to the worthy charity of your choice. Also give them a book of healthy hair tips so they can grow their own hair contribution.
Gormlaith, who just thought of something mean too, "You can donate to the fire department, they need dummies to practice on." Sure it sounds lame but I bet it would be satisfying in a juvenile sort of way to say. Of course you only mean to suggest their contribution to the fund for CPR equipment, you are certainly not to blame if they take it the wrong way.
I am NOT trying to change opinions about hair donations. But there is far more hearsay than data in this conversation. I like information that can be traced to known sources. Everything else is hearsay. YMMV
First of all, are these organizations disingenuous? Absolutely. It has been documented here, and that IS an issue. I don't like it, and it always causes me to question a situation. But I'll also quote Richard Feynman here: "Never assume malise where stupity will do."
It is reasonable to conclude that these organizations do not value hair as much as this community does. However that is not illegal nor is that view uncommon among the population at large.
It is reasonable for those that value long hair as you do to find this whole situation difficult to fathom. Again, you are entitled to your opinions and this is a great place to talk about it.
That said, I would like to shed a little light on what I learned by reading the BBB reports and the referenced threads.
A series of threads on message boards that are specifically *committed to long hair* has a bunch of negative opinions. That's a big "so what" to me.
The BBB reports indicate some sloppy record keeping, especially for WFK. Having worked with small non-profits, I see that as another big "so what."
By encouraging hair donations, they allow some people, who cannot or choose not to make a cash contribution, to participate in giving.
According to the BBB report, the sales of hair in 2002, provided over $150K for their work. Over 90% of that money supports their programs.
For the non-profit world, and certainly for the recipients of their help, that is a very good thing, even if you find it personally distateful.
Just my $.02 Mr. Happy
Disclaimers:
No offense intended. If you think it's offensive, I didn't mean it that way.
YMMV
The opinions expressed are my own and are not those of this message board, the internet or anybody else.
The biggest problem with them is that they get thousands of ponytails per year and then only make a few hundred wigs if that many.
What are they doing with all the extra hair?
If they have to sell all that hair to pay for their expenses why don't they say they have enough hair and ask for more money donations?
As far as them not all being free, I believe that any child that needs one of these wigs should get one for free whether their family makes $10 a month or $10,000.
Here are some links for more info and also some threads that discuss it
Locks of Love is considered to have "questionable practices" according to some sources. I also have heard that L.o.L. doesn't always give their wigs for free, that many are sold commercially, and that many ponytails are trashed. This is only what I've heard, but it's enough for me not to donate to L.o.L.
I volunteer my time and my money to other charities and organizations. I would donate my blood if only I were eligible (anemia). There are many other ways to give and I don't see donating hair as a good way. When someone asks, I just tell them "I don't trust where my hair goes" and "I donate in other ways".
Do any of you long haired ones ever get asked why you don't chop it off and donate it to charity? There are some charities that take ponytails of at least 10 inches to make wigs for child with medical hair loss.
I am not interested in chopping my hair for any reason. Not like I am so selfish that I don't care about children with cancer. I just don't know what to say to someone who asks me. It's like walking up to a total stranger and asking them to why don't they donate a kidney or sell their car and give the money to charity.
I have also heard that these wigs are made for the child are not always free. They are fees on a sliding scale according to family income. If the hair is colour treated, grey or just not from a young person so not suitable for a wig, it is sold.
I prefer charities like the Cancer Society or Make A Wish Foundation. I think that Locks of Love is just too creepy in some way. How would you handle the situation?
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eKatherine wrote:
