Hair donations for cancer patients

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for a salon or beautician who is knowledgeable on the process and procedures of hair donations for cancer patients. I believe my hair is long enough to be cut and processed for a donation. Thank you for any help you and your readers can give me.

— No name, Sabattus

ANSWER: I called the Dempsey Center in Lewiston and they pointed me to the website, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a charity campaign that allows individuals to donate hair for those who have lost their own due to cancer treatment. This is where Dempsey Center cancer patients get their wigs.

You can actually cut your hair yourself using the guidelines from Pantene’s website (https://pantene.com/en-us/brandexperience/make-the-cut) or have any stylist do it. If you want to go with The Dempsey Center’s recommendation, you’ll have to act quickly however, as this particular campaign is ending on Dec. 31. (It seems that more and more, cancer patients and others are wearing wigs made from synthetic materials because they’re cooler, lighter and easier to style.)

To get your hair ready to donate, shampoo and condition it but don’t use additional styling products. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck into a ponytail using an elastic band, ensuring that it’s just below where you want to cut your hair. Make sure the band is tight around the hair to keep it together after cutting. A second hair band can be placed around the middle of the ponytail. Measure the length of your ponytail from the elastic band to the tip. It should be at least eight inches long. Cut your hair just above the elastic band so that it remains in the ponytail after cutting and keeps the hair together. Do not wash or style the ponytail in any way after it has been cut.

Be sure the ponytail is completely dry before sending. Seal it in a zip-lock bag and mail it in a padded envelope to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Attn: 192-123, 806 SE 18th Ave. Grand Rapids, MN 55744

If you would like to know when your donation is received, include your name and return address or e-mail address with you hair donation.

Locks of Love (locksoflove.org) has similar guidelines. Participating salons, which are often chains, normally will have the organization’s decal in their window. They require a 10-inch ponytail. Readers, I’d love to hear from you if you ever donated your pony tail or have more information to help those who are interested.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Auburn PAL (Police Activities League) is gearing up for their annual Halloween Haunted House Event. Scary Halloween items wanted; the scarier the better! The PAL teens do an amazing job setting up this event for the younger children. If you have any items to contribute, donated items can be dropped off at the Auburn PAL Center at 24 Chestnut St. from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have questions, e-mail Janice at jcallahan34@yahoo.com.

— Janice, no town

ANSWER: I don’t like to be scared myself, but I know a lot of people absolutely love it! Halloween is coming right up so check out your closets and attic trunks. I have also seen an astonishing amount of Halloween items at the local Goodwill and thrift stores.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.