After two years of letting his hair grow, fifth-grader Isaac Leal had it shorn, all for a good cause.
The ten-year-old had been so moved by a television report on children battling cancer that he decided to do his part.
"My mom inspired me to let it grow and donate it to these children," said Isacc, who went last week with his mother to a Chula Vista salon to participate in "Locks of Love."
It's a campaign organized by the non-profit organization Friends of Scott, which helps children with cancer and their families, particularly Latino ones.
Chula Vista resident Veronica Acosta, Isaac's mother, said she was proud of her son, who had to up with teasing at school to help sick youngsters.
"Everyone would tell him that he looked like girl, but he would tell them that he was letting his hair grow to help children with cancer," the mother said.
Acosta said her mother had died of the disease years ago, so she understands the impact it can have on patients and their families.
The campaign "Locks of Love," which began Sept. 20 with the support of "Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove," features Rapunzel, legendary for her long hair.
People who donate their hair will receive four tickets to the ice show, which will be in San Diego on Oct. 5 to 9 at Valley View Casino Center.
The donated hair will be used to create wigs for children who lose their own hair during their treatment. Each wig requires six to ten ponytails, and can take up to six months to make.
The price of each wig is about $1,000. The program "Locks of Love" makes it possible for low-income children to get one.
To participate in the campaign, hair must be at least 10 inches long, be clean and dry. It must be braided or in a ponytail (loose hair can't be used).
Hair donations are being accepted at the Chula Vista salon House of Hair Addictions. The goal is to collect a total of 300 braids and ponytails by Friday, Sept. 30, said one of the salon's partners, Rebeca Rodriguez.
Donors do not have to be a certain age; the only thing required is an interest in helping youngsters who are fighting for their lives.
La Jolla resident Karina de Leon, 34, donated her hair because, "there's nothing more valuable than having the opportunity to help a child."
For his part, Jose Cerna, 26 , said a coworker's son died of cancer. That's why he grew his hair to be able to help another family coping with a similar crisis.
"You don't lose anything by helping. The hair will grow back," said Cerna, who lives in North Park.
"What better reward than knowing that my hair will give a child a smile," Cerna continued. "I'm not a doctor, but it's good to know that there's a way I can help."
Edna Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for "Disney on Ice," said participation in the donation program "has been very positive."
More and more children are donating their hair.
Four-year-old Sofia Flores is one of them. Last Tuesday, she arrived with her mother, Catalina Flores, to cut her hair and donate it.
"My daughter told me that she wanted other kids to be happy," the mother said. "That's why I let her grow it."
About 80 per cent of hair donors for this cause are minors themselves.
Jose Cerna, 26, was delighted to donate his hair.
Alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Where to donate hair
To donate hair to make wigs for children with cancer, hair must be at least 10 inches long and be clean and dry. It must be braided or in a ponytail.
Hair donations are being accepted through Sept. 30 at:
House of Hair Addictions, 4360 Main St., Suite 205, Chula Vista, 91911
HMC Advertising, 453 D St, Chula Vista, CA, 91910
The non-profit organization Friends of Scott helps children with cancer and their families, particularly Latino ones.
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