Local girl turns long hair into generous gift
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

Breanna watches in the mirror as Debbie Rodriguez finishes up her new haircut after taking off more than 10 inches.

The scissors snipped and Breanna Pitts winced.

Her beautiful 10-inch ponytail, cut just above the rubber band, fell limp into Debbie Rodriguez's hand.

The hair that once cascaded down 9-year-old Breanna's back past her waist was gone. Her light-brown locks now brushed her shoulders.

Breanna plans to put that ponytail, which took two years to grow, in the mail to help another child.

She's donating her hair to Locks of Love. The organization provides hairpieces to disadvantaged children who have lost their hair due to cancer, burns or most commonly, a condition called alopecia areata, which causes total hair loss and has no known cause or cure.

Breanna's mom, Irene, said she came to her one day "out of the blue" and told her she wanted to "donate her hair to kids who don't have any."

Mrs. Pitts explained that Breanna's experience with a family member who had cancer stuck with her and influenced her decision.

Breanna will donate her ponytail to Locks of Love to help children suffering from hair loss.

"She had a little cousin who died from leukemia, and she knew she got her hair from Locks of Love," Mrs. Pitts said.

After she told Breanna how the program worked and what type of children it helped, Mrs. Pitts said Breanna couldn't wait to get her new cut.

As she sat in the styling chair last Thursday, she didn't have any regrets ... a little shock, but no regrets.

"I was like 'wow,'" Breanna said of the moment of no return, bouncing her now much lighter tresses as she spoke.

"But I wanted to give my hair to people who don't have any hair," she added with a shrug, as if anything else would be selfish.

She hopped down from the chair and examined her ponytail, now safely sealed in a clear plastic baggy.

Mrs. Pitts stood behind Breanna and ran her fingers through her daughter's mane, obviously proud of her decision.

"That'll be less hair for your little brother to pull," she concluded with a laugh.

INTERESTED IN DONATING? Donated hair is evaluated for its usefulness according to the following guidelines:

• The donated hair must be at least 10 inches (preferably 12) in length.

• It must be bundled in a ponytail or braid. • Hair must be free of bleach. Colored hair and permed hair are acceptable.

For more information visit www.locksoflove.org