Hair today, but gone tomorrow
BLESSED with luscious locks, 14-year-old Miriam Charak threw away her vanity and decided to donate her hair to make a wig for young cancer patients.
Since she was nine, Miriam loved her long hair, but knew there was something more she could do with it.
“I knew someone who had cut off and donated their hair after their bat mitzvah, so I always had it in my mind that I wanted to do the same,” Miriam told The AJN.
After researching different charities that collect hair, the Year 9 student settled on Zichron Menachem, an Israeli group that supports children with cancer and their families.
After growing her hair for six years to the required length and keeping it in optimal condition, Miriam was keen to take the plunge.
“I was crying when it was cut because I’ve had long hair for so long, it was very strange,” she confessed. “But I’ve had my mind set on doing this for so long, I just wanted to be able to donate it to a good cause.”
The Kesser Torah College student has had a lot of support from friends and family, who she is encouraging to contribute to a similar cause.
“As my mum always says, my hair will grow back, but the children cancer patients’ hair won’t, and it’s such a gift to them,” she said. “It makes me feel so good to be able to help others, and my hair’s already growing so quickly, so maybe in another 10 years I can do it again.”
CASSILEE KAHN
Fourteen-year-old Miriam Charak, with her hairdresser Angie.
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