October 26, 2006

Girls support a friend by donating their ponytails to Locks of Love

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

In an act of kindness, two 9-year-old Almaden girls—Delaney Doyle and Monica Boss—have donated 12 inches of their hair to Locks of Love, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair to chronic conditions or who are undergoing chemotherapy.

From left, Delaney Doyle and Monica Boss hold up their hair, which they cut to donate to Locks of Love. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert

Boss, who first heard about Locks of Love as a third grader, when her teacher’s daughter donated her hair, has wanted to do this ever since. Doyle wanted to donate her hair to family friend, Gayle Barnes, who is battling colon cancer. “Delaney saw Gayle go through this and lose her hair, so it’s personal for her,” says her mother, Janine. “She felt it was something she could give.”

But, when Doyle learned that her hair could help raise children’s self-esteem, helping them feel better, she remained committed to donating hers. “Kids who have cancer need it more than I do,” she says.

While Boss was having her hair cut in the salon, a woman getting extensions the same color as Monica’s hair offered to buy hers. “No thank you,” Monica replied. “My hair’s going to Locks of Love.”

Both mothers are extremely proud of their girls. “It’s a great thing they can do,” says Boss’ mother, Marianne, “and that they want to help other children.”

For more information on the Locks of Love organization visit www.locksoflove.org.