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Donate Your Hair in 5 Easy Steps

March 19, 2023
4 min read
Jane Doe holds her hair above her head at the event

Thinking about donating your hair? We can help!

We know a thing or two about hair.

At St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events, shavees℠ raise money for childhood cancer research by pledging to shave their heads in support of cancer patients, who often lose their hair during treatment.

Should you shave your head for kids with cancer? Take this quiz and find out >

We don’t collect hair donations, but volunteers are welcome to shave their heads at St. Baldrick’s events and donate their hair to another organization. It’s a great way to help two charities at once, and you can do it all in five easy steps!

Not ready to rock a bald head? You can still donate your hair AND help find cures for kids with cancer with a Do What You Want fundraiser.

Female shavee with green barbers cape and shaved head

Step 1: Sign up

If you want to get your head shaved and donate your hair at the same time, sign up as a shavee. If you’d just like to cut your hair and donate it, start a fundraiser.

Step 2: Choose a charity

Decide where you’d like to donate. There are plenty of places to donate hair specifically to make wigs for children with different types of hair loss and groups that give to adults with cancer. There are also other organizations that take hair donations for other causes like cleaning up oil spills.

Make sure you find out the important requirements needed for donating. Many organizations require a minimum length to donate hair, often requiring a minimum hair donation of 6 inches or more. Typically there is no limit to how much hair you can donate, but some do not allow it to be bleached or color-treated to donate hair to cancer a patient.

Choose the organization that best resonates with your reason to give.

Step 3: Spread the word

Let your supporters know that you plan to donate your hair through the message section of your St. Baldrick’s webpage, and through email and social media. Ask them to make a donation for childhood cancer research to honor your hair sacrifice.

Get fundraising tips >

Step 4: Make the cut

Find a head-shaving event using our locator tool to donate hair near you. At your St. Baldrick’s event, have your hair secured in several ponytails or braids and ask the barber to cut each of them off above the elastic.

Step 5: Mail your mane

Charities have varying requirements when it comes to sending them your hair donation. Be sure to follow their directions on how to pack and mail your mane.


Where to Donate Your Hair

Woman holding a ponytail of hair at a St. Baldrick's event

Check out these organizations that collect hair donations:

Children With Hair Loss

Children With Hair Loss makes customized hair replacements for children under 21 with medically-related hair loss. Their guidelines include at least 8 inches of hair in length, preferably not chemically treated. The hair must be bound in a ponytail or braided.

Hair We Share

Hair We Share makes wigs for kids 18 and under who’ve lost their hair due to medical reasons. They require at least 8 inches of hair that is not highlighted. The hair must be bound in small ponytails with 1 inch of hair above the rubber bands.

BeYOUtiful Foundation

BeYOUtiful Foundation provides online education (cutting, styling, utilizing wigs, and dealing with chemo hair) to local cancer survivors, while also making wigs for women of all ages who are dealing with the realities of the disease. They require at least 10 inches of hair that can be chemically treated and the hair must be bound in a ponytail.

Wigs for Kids

Wigs for Kids makes wigs for kids under 18 who’ve lost their hair due to medical reasons. They require at least 12 inches of hair that is not dyed, bleached, or highlighted. To donate your hair, the hair must be bound in a ponytail.

Matter of Trust

Matter of Trust accepts donations of hair, fur, wool, fleece – clippings from individuals, salons, groomers, farmers – and manufactures felted mat products that soak up petrochemicals in storm drains, wells, filtration systems, rivers, and oceans.


Are you looking for other ways you can help Conquer Kids’ Cancer?

Other Ways to Get Involved