Cut for Cancer founder makes a promise to cancer patients

BELLEVILLE, ONT. (02/12/12) Hailey Lindsay on the left and Erica Hollman on the right hold up the image that had sparked the idea for the new grass roots organization Cuts For Cancer. The little girl in the photo on the computer screen has cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The little girl is drawing hair on her reflection in the mirror because she has none at the moment. Subject in photo is unknown still at this time. Founder Hollman had seen this image circulating twitter and immediately cried. The emotions pulled up from the power of this photo was enough to encourage Hollman to create Cuts For Cancer, looking for fresh hair donations in order to make wigs for young girls. For more information on supporting or donating please visit www.cuts-for-cancer.webs.com. Look forward for upcoming events. Photo by Melissa DiNardo

Erica Hollman, founder of Cuts for Cancer, saw a photograph of a bald young girl undergoing chemotherapy, drawing hair on her reflection in the mirror and was moved into action.

“It all started with a picture,” said Hollman.  “Every time I see this photo it makes me sad to think that I have hair and many little girls want to have hair do not.”

Originally the image flooded the Internet in Nov. 2011 by HeyltsRemi, a girl on twitter who is now followed by 11,325 people on the social network site. The picture was accompanied by a twitter post, or tweet, that said, “If you look at this picture and not retweet you are heartless.”

After viewing the image Hollman made a promise to herself.

“I promised myself that before I die I want to give my hair to a little girl that does not have hair,” said Hollman.

“I can always grow my hair back. Many people like this little girl don’t have that luxury.”

Cuts for Cancer is a grass roots organization looking to collect hair and monetary donations from the community.  A haircutting event will be held at John’s Hair Quarters, located at 56 Bridge St. E., on June 6, 2012, in Belleville.

Hollman then created Cuts For Cancer on Feb. 1, 2012 with the help of her friend Hailey Lindsay, who is also the coordinator of the organization. Both girls are looking to get as many people as possible to come out and help support young children who can’t afford to have a wig made.

Hollman, who is still in high school, is looking to gain support from everyone.

“Have you ever wanted something so badly but could not get it?” said Hollman.

“Our goal is (to raise) $1,700 for cancer research and to raise these donations from our school and the community.”

The main goal is to get hair donations for Can Donate Hair, a Quebec company that provides free wigs to children under the age of 16 suffering from cancer. According to www.DonEspoirCancer.ca this is the only company in Quebec authorized to accept hair donations.

The wigs made from the donations of the haircutting event in Belleville will be accompanied by letter from the donor to the patient, so that the patient knows where their new hair came from.

“Don’t worry little girls, you will have hair soon,” promises Hollman.

For any inquiries visit http://cuts-for-cancer.webs.com/ or their Facebook page Cuts for Cancer to get involved.