By Mary O’KEEFE

Allure Salon in Montrose was busy on Sunday, Oct. 13 with stylists cutting and styling hair for a good cause. Partnering with two additional salons, April Ray Salon and Expressions for Hair, with support from the Montrose Shopping Park, the cut hair was donated to Locks of Love.

Locks of Love is a non-profit that takes donated hair and creates wigs for children who are in need.

“I used to donate my hair,” said Amelia Lapena.

She would let her hair grow long when she was pregnant and then donate between pregnancies; however, she hasn’t donated in a while. 

“I just didn’t get around to cutting my hair,” she said.

So when Lapena heard that Allure Salon was participating in this year’s Locks of Love she thought it was a great opportunity to help.

Ten-year-old Emma and her 8-year-old sister Sophia were both a little nervous to donate their hair but both wanted to do what they could to help others.

“Our recipients are financially disadvantaged children, age 21 and under, suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Most of our children suffer from an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata, which causes the hair follicles to shut down. In addition to the loss of scalp hair, many also lose their eyelashes, eyebrows and all body hair. This hair loss is permanent in most cases, and there is no known cause or cure. Other recipients are cancer survivors, have been victim to severe burns or suffer from any number of dermatological conditions that cause permanent hair loss,” according to the Locks of Love website.

For the local event, those who donated their hair received a free haircut and style, along with gift cards. This is an annual event; however, Allure will accept donated hair any time during the year. Those who donate during the year will not receive the special promotion until next year’s event.

  Mary Okeefe