Scott City girl donates hair to help another child

Bailee Lathum of Scott City donated her hair to Locks of Love recently. Stylist Lori Hafele at Hey Gorgeous Salon in Cape Girardeau cut her hair. Bailee, 7, has been growing her hair for several years with the goal of helping another child. Bailee hopes to encourage other girls to make the same choice to donate their hair.

Bailee is the daughter of Greg and Cynthia Lathum of Scott City; granddaughter of Eldon and Suzanne Boswell of Scott City; Sharron Lathum of Sikeston; Gary Lathum of Chaffee.

Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that uses donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics for financially disadvantaged children younger than 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair because of a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cure. The prostheses provided by Locks of Love helps restore children's self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Hair donations can be processed by salons or by the donor. A list of requirements is available at www.locksoflove.org/donate_hair.php.