Madison Lucas has only had two trims in her life.
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But the nine-year-old is set to have about 50 centimetres of her hair cut off, so it can be made into a wig for a child with alopecia.
This week (July 6 to 12) is Alopecia Awareness Week, which raises awareness of the hair loss condition.
About half a million Australians have alopecia – a condition where people lose their hair from all areas of the body including the scalp.
Approximately 60 per cent of people diagnosed are under the age of 20.
There is no known cure.
Variety – the Children’s Charity supports kids with alopecia and other permanent medical hair loss by taking hair donations and providing wigs (which cost about $3500 to make).
“During Alopecia Awareness Week, Variety is encouraging people to cut their hair for the cause,” Variety – the Children’s Charity’s CEO Tam Johnston said.
“This year, we are hoping to increase the number of ponytails donated to 1000 and raise $100,000 to help kids with alopecia and permanent medical hair loss.
“The wigs are made from real human hair, and it takes 10-to-25 ponytails to make just one wig.
“Donations of hair are integral to Variety being able to continue providing wigs to kids to help increase their self-esteem and feel confident around their peers.”
Madison said she is donating her hair because she wants to “make another little girl feel beautiful”.
She will go the chop at Fuse Gallery in Cessnock on August 15, and she’s also raising money for Variety in the meantime.
Her schoolmates and teachers at Ellalong Public School raised $115 through a crazy hair day last term.
Donations can be made online at https://give.everydayhero.com/au/maddy-lucas.