(KCJC) After 29 months of nurturing and patience, Susan Lebovitz’s stylist cut her hair late May to help children fighting for their lives. Lebovitz is 71 – and a half – years old. She will donate her hair to Chai Lifeline, an organization committed to alleviating the emotional, social and financial impact of pediatric illness. This is the third time she has made such a donation.
Her donations normally take two years of hair growth, but COVID-19 delayed this donation. Lebovitz feels that donating her hair has given her an opportunity to educate others, in addition to meeting a goal that benefits others.
“Cancer treatments and medical conditions can leave children bald on the outside and feeling naked on the inside. The gift of a wig can help them meet the challenges of a changing body by enhancing self-esteem and alleviating the feelings of ‘differentness’ that can accompany illness and treatment,” according to the organization’s website.
Chai Lifeline accepts contributions of hair from children and adults, which they use to make wigs. The hair needs to be a minimum of 14 inches long. Hair has to be be cut dry, as well as clipped in a ponytail or braid. The gift that changes children’s lives is then put in a Ziplock and mailed to the organization in an envelope.
For Lebovitz, the donation is of personal importance. She is motivated by knowing numerous cancer patients, as well as being very close with someone who has alopecia. Lebovitz said, “Hair defines people in ways that we don’t appreciate until we might lose it or start losing it.”
Lebovitz actively volunteers for Beth Shalom and Jewish Family Services. She holds life memberships in the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and Hadassah. She has lived in KC for over 48 years. To learn more about Chai Lifeline visit their website at www.chailifeline.org.