A haircut just means a new look for some, but students at Brookstone School partnered with Pantene Beautiful Lengths to show that for others it can mean a whole lot more.

The partnership is called Cuts for a Cure and it’s an event that invites people to cut eight inches of their hair to be made into free wigs for cancer patients.
    

Kate Wilson, founder of cuts for a cure, says her mother’s bout with cancer inspired her to start up the event back in 2013.

“In 2012 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she had to get chemo, and it was kind of a helpless time,” she says. “I wanted to do something to help her and so i donated my hair then and i kind of wanted to give girls the same opportunity to do that, or women, or young children, or whoever wanted to.”

According to the American Cancer Society, one woman out of every 8 women in the united states will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That adds up to be about 12.4% of women in the u.s.

Breast cancer patients are not the only recipients of the wigs. Any woman who has been diagnosed and is in need can receive a donation.

Molly Graham, this year’s chairwoman, explains why she thinks cuts for a cure is such a good cause.

“It’s just, like the best cause,” she says. “People are giving up something that’s so important to them and kind of like their shield and their cover up and their just cutting it off to give it to someone else and it’s been really amazing to just work with them and see it all come together today.”

One donor, Ruth Hunter, is a true veteran of the event, making her fourth donation Sunday. She says it is the least she can do to help those in need.

“Eight inches really isn’t as much as you think it is,” she says. “And my hair grows back super super fast and it’s such a small thing that i can do for people that need it the most.”

To donate, participants must have natural hair that has not been dyed and enough hair to cut off eight inches.

Graham encourages those who may not have donated this year to think about the impact the haircut could have on someone else and to reconsider for next time.

“It grows back and it’s more about what you’re doing for someone else,” she says. “I know it is a scary thing but at the end of the day you’re giving hair to someone that just losing all of their hair and you still have hair when you’re done with it.”

Cuts For a Cure is held every two years so if you or anyone you know is interested in donating, hold on to your hair until the next cutting ceremony in 20-20.