Here is a little back story as to why I wanted to donate to Children with Hair Loss. When my Kenzie was about 10 months old, she got this rash called Petechia / Petechiae. If you have ever had a health scare with your innocent baby, you know the feeling of the world standing still as you wonder if something could truly happen to this purity and perfection packaged as a tiny human who is the least to deserve any kind of medical hardship or pain. And as a parent, you instinctively know that you would do whatever it took on God's green earth to make your child "ok".
Here is my post-bath baby Mac the week petechia appeared.
Here is what the petechiae looked like on her precious little arm. :(
So what is petechiae? If you've ever had the flu or just thrown up violently for some other reason, you may have had petechia around your eyes. It is literally when your tiny capillaries leak blood into your skin. It doesn't lose color when you push on it. Some little ones may get petechia from straining, whether they're trying desperately to get out of their carseat or crying/throwing up violently or even from being worn in a baby carrier. None of these scenarios applied to Mackenzie and the petechiae was all over the trunk of her body, her arms and her legs. When you have post-partum anxiety and you start googling, you.just.stop.breathing. You pray. You hug, hold and kiss your child more than you ever thought you possibly could. Petechia can be a sign of meningitis or leukemia among a slew of other causes. Thank GOD, Kenzie had blood work done and her labs came back completely normal. Her petechia was most likely caused by a virus. I will forever be grateful. Tears always well up in my eyes when I hear stories of little ones going through health scares or problems. Not only am I extremely sad for them, but I feel so indebted for being privileged to have won the lottery of health for my small human. What a true privilege to have our health (and our freedom, but that's another story). That being said, I always want to give back in any way that I can.
While my sweet Kenzie was going to sleep, she very softly ran her hands through my hair and said "mommy, why did you cut your hair?"
Me: "There are little girls who get sick and lose their pretty hair. I mailed my hair to someone who can make a wig for a little girl. That way the little girl who is sick can wear a wig and feel her hair move when she twirls like you do. And maybe for just a moment, she can forget she is sick."
Kenzie: "I love my long hair."
Me: "I love your hair too, baby".
Here is a picture of my Kenzie-Lou and her beautiful long hair.
Halloween 2015
Here is the site for the organization I chose for my hair donation and below are the donation requirements. I chose them because their requirements are more lax than most places. Unlike organizations like Locks of Love or Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Children with Hair Loss accepts as little as 8+ inches, including grey and dyed hair (although natural is preferred).
http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/
Children with Hair Loss Donation Requirements
Help us “Cover Young Heads to Heal Young Hearts.” In order to do so please follow these requirements:
- Hair should be at least 8 inches in length or longer is preferred.
- Hair must be clean and dry, pony-tailed and/or braided (this keeps the hair in one direction).
- Place rubberband or pony tail holder on each end.
- Non-chemically treated hair is preferred (but any hair in good condition will be accepted).
- Print hair donation form.
- Place donation form and hair in ziplock bag and mail to Children with Hair Loss
- Donors are given a certificate in appreciation for their kindness.
Hair donation before and after.
photo credit: http://www.missyeckertphotography.com/
