A Heartfelt Act of Kindness Through Hair Donation 

By: Ben Barker, Julia Kix, Lillie Nye and Maura McFadden 

As part of the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, Penn State’s THON™ community has embraced a powerful initiative: The Dream Forward Campaign. One of its most meaningful components is the hair donation drive, which takes place during the 100 Days ‘Til THON celebration, where students and community members donate their hair to be transformed into wigs for children battling cancer. This simple but impactful act of kindness restores a sense of normalcy and confidence in young kids. 

Why Donate Hair? A Personal Story 

For many, the decision to donate hair is a deeply personal one. Madhura Dahale, a Penn State sophomore who participated in this year’s hair donation drive, shared her thoughts on why she chose to donate her hair: 

“I’m donating my hair because it’s been such a big part of my personality and sense of self. [When] people lose their hair to chemo, I can’t imagine what they’re going through,” Dahale said. “I can’t imagine not having my hair, so I want to share it because I can.” 

Dahale’s perspective highlights the emotional significance of hair donation. For children undergoing cancer treatments, hair loss often takes a toll on their self-esteem. By donating hair, individuals like Dahale help restore a sense of normalcy and confidence in these children. 

Behind the Scenes: The Hair Donation Process 

It may seem simple, but a lot of care and organization goes into ensuring each hair donation is properly handled. According to THON Hair Donation Captains, Hannah Oister and Sierra Troutman, the process begins as soon as the hair is cut.  

Once cut, the hair is carefully zip-tied and placed into a Ziploc bag. Donors then fill out a form with an ID number to gain recognition for their selfless act. The hair is then sent to Wigs For Kids, an organization that creates high-quality wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness.  

“Hair is a big identifier.” says Oister. “I think it’s something we don’t think about and take for granted. Being able to give these kids a wig and give them something to wear every day and feel confident in, is really important.” 

The Impact on Children 

The impact of receiving a wig is profound. Troutman shared that many kids who receive wigs through Wig For Kids report a significant boost in confidence. 

“It’s really great for them to feel like they’re back to their normal selves before such a big event happened in their lives,” Troutman explained. 

Hair loss can be emotionally challenging, and a wig provides more than just a physical appearance change- it gives children confidence and promotes their self-esteem. 

The Magnitude of the Act 

For many, donating hair is a meaningful, selfless act. “It’s great to be able to give kids back a sense of confidence and normalcy in their everyday lives. To be able to fully look in the mirror and have confidence in themselves- it’s awesome!” says Troutman.  

The Dream Forward Campaign reminds us that sometimes, small acts of kindness-like donating hair- can have a lasting emotional impact. By donating hair, Penn State students and supporters are offering children more than just a physical gift; they’re giving them hope and confidence as they continue their courageous fight against cancer.