Chidren with Hair Loss benefits from Farmington Hills families' fundraiser

Participants and supporters of “Clip for a Cause,” a fund-raiser for a Michigan non-profit that makes human hair wigs for children with a variety of medical conditions, celebrated their success Thursday, July 8, at Salon Legato in Downtown Farmington.

Maureen McCarthy of Farmington Hills explained the party marked the end of a five-year journey, during which she, her friend Jennifer Franklin, and their daughters Lynn and Sophia, grew out their hair to donate to Children With Hairloss, based in South Rockwood. McCarthy said after all that time, they wanted to mark the end in a special way. They worked with salon owner Diane Cassidy to plan a unique fund-raiser. From May 15-July 3, anyone who came in to donate hair would get a free cut. In addition, funds were raised through per-inch pledges and at Thursday's wrap-up event.

In all, Salon Legato did 30 haircuts, for a total of 327 inches, and “Clip for a Cause” raised more than $1,500. Children with Hairloss volunteers at the event, Judy Osborne and her mother, Barbara Gilliam, pointed out their organization has just 5-7% overhead costs, and the vast majority of funds are used to provide services. "Everything else goes back to the program," Osborne said.

That’s just one of the reasons McCarthy and Franklin chose Children with Hairloss. The organization provides all services free of charge. Each recipient receives a full wig, a more comfortable half-wig with a cap, hair care products, brushes and other accessories. Wigs are replaced – again, free of charge – each year, until the child turns 21.

"To purchase a wig like this would cost $3,000 to $5,000," said Osborne (pictured above with her mother and CWHL volunteer Barbara Gilliam), adding it's not even possible to buy the half-wig, as those are custom-made.

Osborne recounted several stories of children who were painfully shy because of their hair loss. One girl didn’t event want to come out of her mother’s car, until she received her wig. A teenager found her confidence returning with her new wig, and even felt comfortable saying “yes” when she was asked to her school’s homecoming dance.

“It’s amazing what a difference it makes in their lives,” Osborne said.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Children With Hair Loss was founded by Regina Villemure, a hairstylist, cosmetology instructor, hair replacement specialist and former salon owner. When her niece, now a 25-year survivor, was undergoing treatment for cancer at age 3, Villemure saw the need to provide children with human hair replacements. CWHL provides wigs for boys and girls who have experienced medically-related hair loss through chemotherapy, radiation, trichotillomania, alopecia, burns and rare disorders.

The Farmington fundraiser was very welcome; the economy has donations lagging behind need. Currently, Children with Hairloss has a waiting list of recipients. The organization will hold a large fundraiser in November, but donations can also be made on-line.

To contribute or for more information, visit their website: childrenwithhairloss.us