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Florence teen donates hair to Locks of Love

Staff reporter

For 14-year-old Mary Britton of Florence, she wanted to wait to cut her hair until she had at least 10 inches.

"I've had family members who have had cancer," she said, and knew her hair could be used to create wigs for other cancer patients.

The Marion High School freshman had her hair cut Sept. 12 by Cindy Holt of Florence. In all, she was able to donate 12 inches of hair.

The amount of hair that was cut was OK with Mary, as long as there was enough left for a pony tail.

Cancer has affected the Britton family just as it has nearly every family in the area.

Sherry Jo Harris of Cottonwood Falls recently died of cancer. She was 41. While Sherry Jo was ill, she lost her hair which made Mary consider growing her hair for the Locks of Love project.

"It feels good to help someone else," Mary said.

She plans to do it again in a few years after her hair grows out.

About Locks of Love

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 18 and younger with medical hair loss.

These custom-fitted prosthetics are provided free of charge or on a sliding fee scale to children whose families meet specific guidelines.

Donated hair must be at least 10 inches in length, but the organization prefers 12 inches. It must be bundled in a pony tail or braid. The hair must be free of bleach, clean, and dry, placed in a plastic bag, and mailed in a padded envelope. Color-treated and permed hair are acceptable.

Mail to Locks of Love, 2925 10th Avenue N., Suite 102, Lake Worth FL 33461-3099.

Monetary donations to the organization are tax deductible. Donated hair that is not suitable for use in children's hairpieces may be sold at fair market value to offset the cost of manufacturing.

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