CORNWALL, Ontario – When Alysha MacDonald returns to school on Monday, it’s likely her classmates will have trouble recognizing her.
The 11-year-old Rothwell Osnabruck Grade 6 student’s trademark waist-length hair is now trimmed back to just above her shoulders, and a streak of hot pink runs through her bangs.
MacDonald had 15-inches taken off for the non-profit organization ‘Locks of Love’ at Studio Phase II in Cornwall on Saturday (Jan. 9) – her first haircut in seven years.
“I want to challenge or inspire other kids to follow me – grow your hair and donate it,” said MacDonald.
It took one year for the Long Sault girl to shear off her light brown locks, after her mother, Melanie Lascelle, suggested making the donation.
“Her hair means the world to her,” said Lascelle.
MacDonald is also hoping her experiences with autism and ADHD will help others embrace their differences and helps others embrace theirs, too.
“She wanted people to know that even though you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you can’t help others,” said Lascelle.
MacDonald is already anxious to hop back in the salon chair to make her next donation.
“I want to help children with cancer get wigs,” she said.
According to its website, Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
For more information, visit www.locksoflove.org.
