Students commit to cutting off six or more inches of hair to benefit children with medical hair-loss problems. Local celebs such as Cindy Crawford, who parts with not her hair, but a day of her time in an auction, and John Paul DeJoria, who donates product and services, also contribute to fundraiser.
By Lynne Friedman / Special to The Malibu Times
“So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters …”
-O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi”
Hair has relevance. From 17th century powdered wigs to 1960s antiwar movement manes, tresses have expressed sociological standing. A multibillion-dollar coloring and coiffing industry exists to crown people with sometimes illusive youth. Yet, some children wake up without hair.
Like the heroine in O. Henry’s notable narrative, Malibu students will give a piece of themselves for the benefit of others. This Friday, longhaired students at Malibu High School will part with their plaits in the name of Locks of Love, a charity committed to helping financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss problems.
Malibu High School junior Kyle Martirez-McIntosh and his mother, Fox News anchor Jean Martirez, have coordinated the talents and products of John Paul Mitchell Systems, Remington Products and Starbucks to make the haircutting event happen on campus.
“All of my friends at school have long hair,” McIntosh said. “My mom had mentioned to me Locks of Love, which takes hair that’s been cut and makes it into wigs for pediatric patients … I was thinking about how it just might be a good thing to do here in Malibu. It’s a way to give back because the entire community here is really blessed.”
In 1997, registered nurse Madonna Coffman founded the Florida-based, nonprofit Locks of Love after her then 4-year-old daughter developed alopecia, an autoimmune disorder resulting in complete hair loss. The organization has since helped more than 2,000 children by working with a wig manufacturer to create molded, suction-fastened, prosthetic hairpieces for children who suffer from hair loss caused by several medical problems. Unlike most synthetic hairpieces, these prosthetics can be worn during activities such as swimming or sleeping.
“The effect is tremendous,” Locks of Love communications director Lauren Kukkamaa said. “We realize that we are not providing a cure for what these children are going through, but we see children who have stopped participating in sports or who don’t want to go to school …there are so many things that we have seen them stop and then return to once we’ve been able to provide them with the prosthetic hairpieces. It’s truly the best thing about it.”
Locks of Love takes donations of clean, dry hair, more than 10 inches long, for use in the prosthetics. Donated 6- to 10-inch lockets will be sold at fair market value to offset manufacturing costs.
Pepperdine University senior Carolyn Simpson cut off 10 inches of her hair last March as part of Pepperdine’s annual Locks of Love fundraiser.
“Other people started making me nervous, but it was fine,” Simpson said. “I figured it would be OK, it was just hair. I was glad when it was over, and [now] it feels good.”
Simpson is helping to organize this year’s Pepperdine Locks of Love event on March 26 and 27.
Malibu resident and spokeswoman for Remington Products Cindy Crawford did her part for the event, but not with her famed chestnut tresses. She allowed Remington to auction off a date to “hang with Cindy” at Remington’s Nov. 13 “Everyday is a Runway” event in New York’s Times Square. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to Locks of Love. Remington will also be giving away hair products to the donors at Malibu High School this Friday.
“Our culture places such importance on beauty,” Crawford said. “For children who lose their hair, the loss of self-confidence can be devastating. I have seen firsthand what Locks of Love does for children with cancer and other diseases and it’s priceless. I am proud to be working with Remington, a company who supports such a wonderful organization.”
Celebrities who have made the cut for Locks of Love include “The Today Show’s” Ann Curry, whose hair was clipped by Katie Couric in Times Square, as well as rock star Sammy Hagar and reporter Lisa Ling (“The View,” “National Geographic Explorer” and “Oprah”).
In Hollywood spirit, hair with flair will be the goal of Friday’s stylists at the high school. Styling, and gift bags of hair products are being donated by The Cao Institute of Aesthetics of Alhambra, a John Paul Mitchell partner school.
Malibu resident John Paul DeJoria, co-founder, chairman and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, said, “I know it is very exciting for our [team] to come to Malibu and donate their exceptional hairstyling talent for such a worthwhile event … we are very pleased to be of service.”
As to how many will get their hair cut by the future Paul Mitchell professionals: “We have modest goals,” said co-organizer Jean Martirez. “If we can get 20 to 25 people, that’s awesome.”
The event will take place this Friday, Feb. 9, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 310.584.2067 or by e-mailing jeanmarbar@yahoo.com. Permission slips for minors are requested and can be obtained from Malibu High School by calling 310.457.6801 ext. 276. More information about Locks of Love can be obtained at the Web site, www.locksoflove.org