Girl follows Golden Rule and donates hair

Morgan Jessup is only 12 years old, but she's taken to heart the lessons her parents have taught her.

One of those lessons is the Golden Rule: "Always treat others the way you want to be treated." Morgan says that is what motivated her to donate 10 inches of her blonde hair to the Locks of Love program.

"I just know that if I had cancer and lost my hair because of the treatments, I would wish that someone would help me," said Morgan.

Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under 18 who suffer from medical hair loss.

Morgan's stepmother, Julie Jessup, also decided to donate 10 inches of her hair to the program.

"A friend of mine had donated her hair to the program. So that's how I learned about it," said Julie.

When she discussed the idea with Morgan, they younger Jessup knew she wanted to participate, too. So they both went to Cutting Edge Hair Salon in Jackson together.

Morgan is visiting her father, Dr. Michael Jessup, for the summer. She and her mother, Gail Parker, live in Pine Bluff, Ark. She thinks this will make the summer very memorable.

Both Morgan and Julie say they don't regret their decision to shed their locks at all.

"I think I was ready for a change, anyway," said Julie. "I'm glad we did it." And, she adds, she is very proud of Morgan.

"I think for a 12-year-old to think of other people in that way shows a lot of maturity," said Julie.

Morgan says it just goes back to the Golden Rule.

"I just know that if I was ever in need, I would appreciate someone donating their hair to me," concluded Morgan.