Alverno High School's Locks of Love event Wednesday in Pasadena

Alverno High School is holding a Locks of Love event, which has become a tradition for the students, taking place every two years. This hair donation event will take place on Alverno’s campus and is sponsored by South Pasadena’s ECCO Salon. It will take place from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Alverno is looking to collect 1,000 inches of hair from students, family, friends and community volunteers!

This event will benefit Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides vacuum fitted hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated human hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. Others have suffered severe burns or injuries or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem or other dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss. The vacuum fit is designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of tape or glue. The prostheses they provide help to restore self-esteem and confidence, enabling these children to face the world and their peers.

The organization, which began operation in 1998, provides the prostheses to children under age 21. These hairpieces require between 6-10 ponytails and take approximately 4-6 months to manufacture. Thousands of bundles of donated hair arrive as a result of the national publicity that Locks of Love receives in newspapers, magazines, and television programs. It is estimated that children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a charity where children have an opportunity to help children.

Alverno students who donate or who bring a family member or friend to donate will receive a free Angel Hair Pasta lunch the next day. All those who donate will receive a gift bad from ECCO salon as well as a coupon to return to the South Pasadena salon and have their hair styled. Raffle prizes from local Sierra Madre businesses will be included in the event as well.

For more information contact:
Candace Siegle or Susana Capra - Alverno High School - (626) 355 – 3463
csiegle@alverno-hs.org or scapra@alverno-hs.org