Losing inches in the name of love

April 9, 2007 -- Everyone likes to lose a couple of inches now and then, but 10? We aren't talking about off your waistline, but rather your hair. Every semester the student run local chapter of Locks of Love at Washington University asks people to donate 10 inches of hair to help make wigs for financially disadvantaged children with disease-related hair loss.

A semesterly tradition continues as Washington University's Locks of Love organization hosts a Cut-A-Thon benefit.

"The wigs normally cost about $3,500 to make each and it takes about 10 ponytails of 10 inches of hair to make one wig," Lara Oakley, president of the Washington University chapter of Locks of Love, explains. "This organization just helps make it possible for these kids to live a normal and active life where they don't have to worry about children staring at them."

Professional hairstylists from around the St. Louis area come and donate their time and services for this worthy cause. The haircuts cost $20, whether or not you are able to donate the 10 inches of hair, and all the money and ponytails are then directly sent to the national Locks of Love Organization in Florida for manufacturing.

In addition to haircuts, the group hosted a t-shirt and bake sale during the benefit. The group hopes to collect more than $1,000 and 65 ponytails during the one day, 10-hour benefit held in Mallinckrodt Center.

Washington University is one of only a few private Locks of Love organizations around the country and has been holding the Cut-A-Thon benefits for more than 10 years.