Mollie White donated 20 inches of hair in daughter's memory

Mollie White, a resident of the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau, couldn't hold back her tears as her long, dark hair was being cut.

"I hope Sabrina is proud of me," said White, 54.

White was overcome with emotion in the Life Care Center salon Monday because her hair was being donated in memory of her daughter, Sabrina White, who passed away in 2006 after a two-year battle with cancer. The donation was being made to Locks of Love, a Florida-based not-for-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the U.S. and Canada suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

"This means so much to Mollie," said Gloria Friedrich, an activity assistant at Life Care Center. "And it's going to a wonderful cause."

White has been a resident at Life Care Center since she suffered a stroke in 2008. Her ability to speak was hampered by the stroke, but her words were clear when she was asked why she wanted to donate her hair.

"A lot of good will come from this," she said.

The idea for White to donate her hair in memory of her daughter came to her about two months ago, according to White's sister, Vicki Wallace.

"It was her decision," Wallace said. "She wanted to do it for Sabrina, who was only 18 when she died from bone cancer. They even put a metal rod in Sabrina's leg in place of her femur, but her cancer came back with a vengeance."

Tammy Halbrook, the Core Plans coordinator at Life Care Center, arranged for a hairstylist to come to the center to cut White's hair.

"I was glad to help," Halbrook said. "I'd help any one of the residents. They're like family to me."

Halbrook said that a phone call to hairstylist Alexis Rhodes was all it took to have White's hair cut.

"Alexis was my first phone call," she said. "She has a big heart."

White's hair had received only one light trim during her five-year residency at Life Care Center. Rhodes, who works at SuperStyles in Jackson, was surprised at the length to which it had grown.

"I've never cut this much off before," Rhodes said.

More than 20 inches of White's hair was cut, according to the ruler used to measure the length.

According to Rhodes, SuperStyles and other hair salons in the area are involved with donations to Locks of Love.

"Once a person is ready to donate, we'll help," she said. "But their hair has to be at least eight inches."

Rhodes said helping people donate to Locks of Love makes her feel good about herself.

"I know I'm helping others," she said. "I cut hair being donated to Locks of Love at least twice a month. All together it's been over 20 times."

White's hair will be taken to State Beauty Supply in Cape Girardeau before it is sent to Locks of Love, Rhodes said.

"Once it reaches Locks of Love, Mollie's hair could be used by anyone who needs it."

For more information on hair that is acceptable to be donated to Locks of Love, visit locksoflove.org or call toll free 888-896-1588.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 2852 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO