Donate Your Hair in 5 Easy Steps

How to Donate Your Hair in 5 Easy Steps

Thinking about donating your hair? It’s a powerful way to show support and make a tangible difference in someone’s life. While the St. Baldrick’s Foundation doesn’t directly collect hair, many of our incredible volunteers choose to cut and donate their hair while they raise money for childhood cancer research. You can be part of this amazing community, too. 

Each year, thousands of people join St. Baldrick’s events. They shave their heads or trim their hair, turning a personal act into a powerful statement against childhood cancer. By fundraising, they fuel critical research. By donating their ponytails, they give a priceless gift to children and adults experiencing hair loss. 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover hair donation requirements, how to cut your hair for donation, and where to donate hair. Whether you’re joining a St. Baldrick’s event as a trimee or donating on your own, these steps will help you give with confidence. 

Step 1: Find an Event and Sign Up 

If you want to combine your hair donation with fundraising for childhood cancer research, start by finding a St. Baldrick’s event near you. When you register, you can sign up as a “shavee” or a “trimee.” A trim at one of our events is a quick cut, just enough to prepare your ponytail or braid for donation. 

Registering gives you a personal fundraising page and access to tools that make it easy to share your story and gather support. If you’ve already registered or are just looking for general guidance, keep reading. The next steps apply to everyone ready to make the cut. 

Step 2: Understand Hair Donation Requirements 

Before you cut your hair, it’s important to choose an organization and understand its specific hair donation requirements. This ensures your generous gift can be used. There are many wonderful charities that create wigs for children with medical hair loss and adults with cancer. Please note, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation does not take hair donations. 

While rules vary, here are some common guidelines to look for: 

• Minimum Length: Most organizations require a minimum length, typically between 8 and 14 inches. 
• Hair Treatment: Some accept colored or chemically treated hair, while others require it to be completely natural. 
• Hair Condition: Hair must almost always be clean and completely dry before being sent. 
• Preparation: Most charities require hair to be secured in a ponytail or braid before cutting. 

Take a moment to research and choose an organization that connects with your personal mission. This simple step ensures your donation makes the impact you intend. 

Step 3: Spread the word

Let your friends, family, and community know you’re donating your hair. If you’re participating in a St. Baldrick’s event, update your fundraising page to share that you’ll be making a hair donation. This act of generosity can inspire others to contribute to your fundraiser, honoring your donation with a gift to fund lifesaving research. 

Social media is another powerful tool to document your journey. Sharing your reasons for donating and the process itself builds a community of support around your incredible act. People love to follow along and cheer you on. 

Step 4: How to Cut Your Hair for Donation 

The moment has arrived! Whether you’re at a St. Baldrick’s event, a local salon, or at home, preparing your hair correctly is key. 

Follow these tips for a successful donation cut: 

1. Wash and Dry: Start with clean, completely dry hair. Most organizations cannot accept wet hair because it can mold in transit. 
2. Secure Your Hair: Divide your hair into multiple small ponytails or braids. This helps capture the maximum length and keeps the hair aligned. 
3. Make the Cut: Ask the barber or stylist to cut about one inch above the elastic band. This keeps the ponytail or braid intact.
4. Store Properly: Place the dry ponytails or braids into a sealed plastic bag to keep them clean and secure. 

Cutting your hair is a symbolic and emotional moment. By preparing it properly, you ensure your gift is ready for its next chapter. 

Step 5: Mail Your Hair Donation 

With your hair cut and secured, the final step is to mail it. Carefully follow the instructions provided by your chosen organization. 

Most charities will ask you to: 

• Place the sealed plastic bag containing your hair into a padded envelope. 
• Include any required donor forms or personal information. Some organizations have online forms to fill out beforehand. 
• Mail the envelope to the specified address. 

Once you drop it in the mail, your hair begins its journey to becoming a beautiful wig and a source of comfort and confidence for someone in need. 

Where to Donate Hair for Cancer and Other Causes 

Looking for a place to send your hair? Here are several respected organizations that accept hair donations. Be sure to visit their websites for the most current hair donation requirements. 

Children With Hair Loss

This group provides free, custom hair replacements to children and young adults under 21 who have medically-related hair loss. 

• Requirements: Minimum of 8 inches, though they prefer 12 inches or longer. They accept color-treated and gray hair. 

Hair We Share

Creates custom wigs for children under 18 and adults facing medical hair loss, providing them free of charge if they meet financial guidelines. 

• Requirements: Minimum of 12 inches. Hair cannot be bleached or color-treated. Gray hair is accepted. 

BeYOUtiful Foundation

For over 30 years, Wigs for Kids has been providing Hair Replacement Systems for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation, and other medical conditions. 

• Requirements: Minimum of 12 inches. Hair cannot be color-treated, bleached, or highlighted. 

Wigs for Kids

For over 30 years, Wigs for Kids has been providing Hair Replacement Systems for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation, and other medical conditions. 

• Requirements: Minimum of 12 inches. Hair cannot be color-treated, bleached, or highlighted. 

Locks of Love

A well-known public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss. 

• Requirements: Minimum of 10 inches. Color-treated or permed hair is acceptable. 

Matter of Trust 

This unique organization uses donated hair, fur, and fleece to create absorbent mats called “hairmats” that help clean up oil spills. 

• Requirements: Minimum of 3 inches. They accept all hair types, including dyed hair and shavings. 

 

Your Donation Changes Lives 

Donating your hair is an amazing act of generosity. When you pair it with fundraising for childhood cancer research, you multiply your impact. You not only provide a wig to someone who needs it, but you also help fund the science that will lead to better treatments and cures for kids with cancer. 

Every dollar raised, every shave, and every trim brings us closer to a world without childhood cancer. Thank you for making a difference. 

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