Your hair can strongly influence your confidence levels. It affects the way you see yourself and how others view you.
We style our hair frequently to express our personalities and styles. However, people with hair loss can’t enjoy this kind of privilege.
However, donate wigs can help such people gain back their confidence and self-esteem. If your used wigs are still in a good condition, then keep reading. We will tell you about the wig donation process and the various organizations you can support.
Why You Should Donate Wigs
Just like cash donation, donating your wig will impact someone’s life positively. You can donate wigs to help cancer patients who are experiencing hair loss. Besides expensive bills, cancer patients have to deal with psychological effects of hair loss.
Your wig donation allows these patients to get back their comfort and self-esteem. These wig donations are especially helpful to those without enough money to buy their own.
Where to Donate Wigs
There are several places to donate your used wigs. You can give them to a nearby cancer center, oncology offices or local cancer support groups. Before making a donation, get in touch with them and learn more about how they handle wig donations.
You can also give your wig to an organization. There are several organizations that accept hair or wig donations for cancer patients. It is always a good idea to go through the organization’s donation requirements before you donate a wig.
How to Donate Wigs
Wig donation can be difficult if you don’t have enough information. Organizations have different donation requirements to ensure wigs received are in good shape. The requirements also help ensure that the right patients get the wigs.
The following are some steps you can take to ensure your donated wig reaches the right patient:
1. Pick the Right Organization
It’s necessary to conduct some research before joining a wig donation organization. Knowing the organization’s goals is important before you make the donation. Confirm whether the patients receive the wigs for free or at a fee and decide if the latter is acceptable.
Your decision may also be influenced by details such as the recipient’s age and location (local or international). This is why you should contact the organization to get more information.
2. Read the Organization’s Donation Requirements
It is important to go through the organization’s donation requirements before donating your wig. As already mentioned, these requirements ensure the wigs will arrive in good condition. Additionally, they ensure that the proper patients receive them.
Some organizations may even take the wig you used during your own cancer treatment. The wigs are usually refurbished and then given to patients undergoing their treatment. If you want to learn more about the organization’s requirements for donated wigs, get in touch with them.
3. Follow the Donation Requirements
If you are okay with the donation requirements, then prepare your wig for delivery. If the wig has been worn before, ensure it is in a good condition and fit for donation.
You will also need to wash and dry the wig before it’s packaged. Confirm that it is totally dry to prevent mold growth during shipping.
4. Package and Ship Your Donation
The last step in the donation process is to send the wig to the organization’s address. The packaging guidelines are usually easy, so follow them carefully when packaging your wig.
Additionally, include any additional item that came with the wig. These are usually styling and storage tools that the recipient can also use to properly take care of the wig.
As for shipping, the organization will provide you with drop off locations or mailing addresses. When sending the wig, use enough postage to ensure on-time and successful delivery.
Organizations That Accept Wig Donations
Here are eight organizations you can consider donating your wigs to:
1. EBeauty
Ebeauty aims to provide wigs to all women in the US undergoing cancer treatment. This support helps them regain their self-image and confidence during cancer treatments. Ebeauty’s Wig Exchange Program refurbishes donated wigs and sends them for free to women in need.
Contact: Website only
2. The Wig Exchange
The Wig Exchange is an organization that provides cancer patients with wigs. It also provides practical tips for managing hair loss during cancer treatment. In addition, it partners with cancer survivors to recycle their gently used wigs. The wigs are then donated to patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Contact: 914-412-4884
3. American Cancer Society Wig Banks
Offered by the American Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society wig banks program offers free wigs to cancer patients. The wigs are offered free of charge and are open to all cancer patients regardless of their income or health insurance status.
Contact: 800-227-2345
4. Wigs for Kids
Wigs for Kids (WFK) is a nonprofit organization that helps children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns, and other medical issues.
WFK provides hair replacement systems and custom-made hairpieces free of charge to children. They also accept hair donations.
Contact: 440-333-4433
5. Life With Cancer
Life with Cancer is an Inova Schar Cancer Institute program that serves cancer patients and survivors. It offers programs that help members cope with Cancer, its treatment and survivorship.
Contact: 571-472-1103
6. Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources Women’s Boutique at Fort Worth accepts Wig donations. They also provide items such as camisoles that make cancer treatments a little manageable for the patients.
Contact: 817-250-1488
7. Look Good Feel Better
The mission of Look Good Feel Better is to teach cancer patients worldwide how to manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.
The program helps cancer patients regain their confidence through various training. This includes skin and nail care, cosmetics, wigs and turbans, accessories and styling.
Contact: Website only
Hair We Share serves US residents dealing with permanent hair loss due to medical conditions such as cancer, alopecia, autoimmune disease, and trauma. Its mission is to help such patients to maintain dignity, confidence, and self-esteem.
The program provides free wigs to children(18 years and below) with medical hair loss conditions. If older, a free wig is offered based on financial need and approval. Hair We Share also accepts hair donations.
Contact: 516-484-8483
Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Wigs
1. Why Donate to Wigs for Kids?
By donating to Wigs for Kids, you are helping young children regain their self-esteem and confidence during tough times. Wigs for Kids is a nonprofit organization that provides wigs to kids who have lost their hair due to various medical conditions.
2. Where Is the Best Place to Donate Wigs?
When donating your wig, there’s no better place than through an institution sharing the same goals with yours. So start by looking up what their goals are and see if they have a target group in mind. If everything checks out then follow its donation requirements.
3. Do People Still Donate Hair for Wigs?
Certainly some people still donate their own hair for wigs.Once received, the organizations use the donated hair to make wigs for patients suffering from hair loss. To donate a wig, determine a donating organization that fits with your personal values and beliefs.
4. Can Gray Hair Be Donated for Wigs?
Absolutely, you can donate your gray hair to organizations that make wigs. However, not all of them accept gray hair. Just make sure to read their wig donation rules before you ship it.
5. Can You Donate Wigs to Goodwill?
Donating used wigs to certain Goodwill stores is possible, but it’s best to inquire with the store near you due to differing donation guidelines. By donating your wig to Goodwill stores you do not just aid partner organizations, you also contribute to environmental recycling.
Conclusion
Losing hair due to cancer treatments can be tough, but donating your gently worn wig can make it easier for the patients. Wig donation may be a small act, but it is just as helpful as other forms of donation to cancer organizations.
You can improve a patient’s life by sending your lightly used wig to a support organization. Join any of them that appeals to you whether it is EBeauty, Wigs for Kids, or Life With Cancer among others.
