Just over two years ago, my daughter got her hair cut.

About a year later, my alopecia came back and it was at it’s worst ever.

In researching what I could do for my alopecia, I came across the Rapunzel Foundation. It “is a charitable organisation that works to improve the lives of those living with hair loss, through fundraising as well as through hair-raising (for wigs). Anna Furlong’s Hair Salon is the founder salon of the Rapunzel Foundation which now has over 450 registered salons all over Ireland.”

I didn’t need a wig but my, then six year old, daughter and I started talking about my hair loss and ways in which we could help others. We loved the idea of her growing her hair to donate it to the foundation. This is what her hair focus has been for the last 18 months. Getting her hair long enough so that she could chop it off and donate it to the Rapunzel foundation  so that it could become part of a wig that’s donated to a child or adult who needs it.

Last night there was great excitement when after her hair had been washed, nit checked and measured (the donation has to be at least 14inches long and not coloured or chemically treated), we realised that tomorrow she could finally go in for the chop

The excitement hit fever pitch this morning, when we called The Jim Hatton Salon, in Rathgar, (one of the participating salons) and found out that there was an available appointment in an hour.

So off we went to the salon and met with Rebecca – who was amazing! She made my G feel so appreciated and answered all of her questions (mainly about how her hair goes from the salon to a person’s head).

The first step, after getting in the chair, was a lice check (understandably so). The hair was then sectioned into 4 parts …

measured …

… and then chopped.

The salon cut G’s hair free of charge, gave her a gorgeous new hair style and will now send on G’s donation to the Rapunzle foundation where it will become part of a much needed wig.

I found today very moving. It shows that small steps by many people can make a big change in someone’s life. Thanks to my seven year old for donating her hair, Rebecca and the salon for donating their time and taking care of the hair, and to the amazing Rapunzel Foundation for their invaluable work!

If you want more information about the Rapunzel Foundation visit the following:
Website:     www.rapunzelfoundation.com
Facebook:  facebook.com/rapunzelfoundation
Instagram: @rapunzelfoundation