By: Ryan Duey
Clay Center resident Natosha Hevelone has been donating her hair to help those facing chemotherapy or suffering from alopecia since an early age. She has now donated seven times, soon to be eight. Hevelone said there is a power in knowing that a simple gesture is going to a great cause.
She said her inspiration came from a teacher when she was a student at North Central in Morrowville.
“I was at a school assembly in 5th grade, and I watched my teacher donate her hair. Her sister was the owner of a salon, so she got to cut her sister’s hair, which I thought was pretty special.”
“So that following year, I grew my hair out and donated it and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Hevelone said there is currently an 8-year-old from Linn and a 16-year-old from Waterville fighting cancer, along with many other people throughout the area who are fighting the same type of battles. Providing wigs to those fighting these battles helps give them some form of comfort and grace as they lose their hair.
For those interested in participating in this cause Hevelone said it’s important to do your research, as not all organizations are the same.
“Do your research and make sure you’re giving to an organization that is a nonprofit. In high school, after doing some research I realized I was donating to a company that was charging clients for the wigs, nonprofit organizations give them away. I don’t feel like clients should be charged for donated hair.”
“Some organizations accept 10 inches of hair; some accept 12 inches. With many of them, you can also give monetary donations.”
Hevelone said it’s also important to work with your hair stylist ahead of time to make sure the sections are donated correctly based on the organization’s request. Hair can also be donated in honor or memory of someone fighting or had fought these battles.
Since childhood, Hevelone has been using this simple gesture to give to those in need, and she is happy to know that her daughter is following in her footsteps and has donated her hair once so far.
