Roots Salon host fifth annual Cuts 4 A Cause event

BROOKFIELD -- You wash it, comb it, style it and many of us take it for granted. There are millions who lose their hair every year permanently, due to cancer and rare diseases. On Sunday, April 15th, hundreds of people cut it all off to help those affected by these conditions.

It was all a part of Roots Salon's fifth annual "Cuts 4 A Cause" event.

"To be able to donate hair to less fortunate kids who might lose their hair due to cancer, alopecia, those types of things, it really feels great," Naomi Prusinski, the co-owner of Roots Salon in Brookfield said.

"I'm always really low maintenance with my hair, so it's not a big deal to me to cut it off for a good cause," Jan Powell, who donated six inches of her hair Sunday said.

"I think about when I was a little girl, how I hated my curly hair because it was so hard to deal with," Cora Pynenberg said. Pynenberg had an epiphany of sorts, when she realized the thing she was constantly battling would be a life saver for many affected with long-term hair loss. "I think about those little girls who've lost their hair due to cancer and alopecia and I think of how great a gift I can give them of my curly hair," Pynenberg said.

Pynenberg donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hair pieces for people under the age of 21 who've lost their hair due to medical conditions. Some people, like Lisa Fix, had an appointment booked on Sunday, and decided to donate money on the spot. "I haven't been here in a while, and I needed a haircut, so I thought this was a good reason to come out. Children's Hospital is a great organization and they're right in our community, so I wanted to help out," Fix said.

Roots Salon has a goal to raise more than $10,000 for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Penfield Children's Center. The salon also wants to collect more than 1,000 inches of hair that will be sent to Wigs for Kids and Locks of Love.