Saturday, February 20, 2010

Gimme a Head With Hair

This is my friend Beth.


I know, pretty, right? What do you notice first when you look at her? Is it her sparkling eyes? Her sweet smile? It might be. But my best guess is that the first thing you noticed was that gorgeous crop of copper curls. Yep, Beth has some pretty hair.

Around Thanksgiving, she told me about St. Baldrick's. She told me she was thinking of shaving her head in exchange for contributions to this excellent charity that supports childrens' cancer research. She'll also be donating as much of the actual hair as possible. Now my own hair woes have been extensively discussed here. I'd shave mine bald in a heartbeat and have threatened to do so on many occasions. Beth, though. Damn. I mean LOOK at that hair! But she told me, "I believe in this cause. I want to contribute. I don't have money. But I have hair. It's the least I can give." Well that shut my shallow self up. I immediately stopped trying to talk her out of it and asked how I - someone whose locks are not so glorious and valuable - could contribute. She gave me two options:

1. Sponsor her. Tom and I intend to do that although, like her, money isn't something we have a whole lot of. Our contribution will be small, but the ocean is made up of drops of water, right? If you'd like to contribute as well, Beth - and I - would be infinitely grateful. She's set up to accept contributions as small as $1.


I'm betting if she sees a couple bucks as a result of this post she might be coerced into sharing some after pics with us and maybe MAYBE even some during pics...

2. Make chemo caps. I am in the process of madly doing that now. If any of you knit or crochet and would be interested in contributing in this way, please let me know and I'll hook you up with pattern links as well as a way to get them where they need to be.

Now go back and look at that picture again. Imagine her without hair. Still pretty beautiful, huh? Maybe, though it scarcely seems possible, even more so.

21 comments:

Macey said...

Aw, Tam! I crochet and knit with the knifty knitter, but I can't do a dang hat! They turn out stupid!
She does have gorgeous hair. I wouldn't give anyone MY hair. I wouldn't do that to anyone.
I love this post. What a great person, she is.

Becky said...

Oh I think she is going to look beautiful afterwards....

And think of those gorgeous locks on a cancer patient...given to them with hope and love...

Truely awesome!

La Mere Joie said...

Wow, that is incredible of her! I don't knit but I know people who do... I will pass this on to them!

Charlene said...

I actually noticed her eyes first so I guess that's a good thing!

When my daughter was 8, she grew her hair out to donate to "Locks of Love" and sent two VERY thick, long pony tails. She was so insightful about the whole thing; I felt really proud.

Your friend is an angel indeed...

Unknown said...

What a beautiful story : ) Thanks so much for sharing.

Pam said...

Wow! She's a better woman that I am. She is absolutely gorgeous - both inside and out.

Sandy said...

Grrr, Pam took my line. Beth is obviously beautiful on the inside and out. (Had to say it anyway)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Good for Beth!!!!!! I admire her guts-- and envy her great head of hair.

I'm off to take a look at the link.

I'm on vacation next week and will catch up with you again as soon as I can. HAve a great week Tammy.

xo

Melissa B. said...

What a worthwhile cause! I know that Beth will look just as beautiful w/o those gorgeous curls...both inside AND out. Listen, chica, wanted to let you know I'm hosting the Academy Awards of Bloggy Bling today, and you're a recipient! Have a lovely...

Allison said...

That is so incredible! It takes a brave person to do something so selfless for others. She's amazing!

Traci said...

Man she's beautiful inside and out. I wish I could knit! I think I can find a few dollars to help, though. Good for her.
:-)
Traci

Stacy Uncorked said...

What an inspirational (and beautiful) friend you have! Such a good cause, too.

I can crochet - hook me up with patterns and I'll see if I can make some hats without messing them up! ;)

JennyMac said...

LOVE this Tammy. Am considering Locks of Love right now. Thanks for the info. And she is gorgeous.

gayle said...

My brother and cousin did this last year and I thought he was awesome!!But a girl doing this is WOW!!!!!! She is one beautiful person inside and out!! I knit and if it is super easy I would like to try making the caps!!

Carma Sez said...

I have absolutely no doubt she will still be gorgeous. What a fine human being :-)

My buddy crochets chemo caps. If I can ever get beyond a flat square, I'd give it a go...

Gibby said...

Your friend is gorgeous but better than that, she obviously has a beautiful heart. I can't knit a cap but I can donate!

Katie Lane said...

How inspiring, thanks for sharing!!

JENIE=) said...

wow that's a whole heart donation. salute to her!

BTW, uhm...am i linked here? cant find it. please let me know since u are linked in all 4 of my blogs
HEALTHINFO@EarthyMe
at-a-blink
life round meNyou
heartQUAKES
...my pr's being pulled down by unreciprocated links =( please let me know. tnx.

Unknown said...

Wow, what a giving person.
Caitie once donated hair to locks of love............I was amazed that she did it. She was young.
Sorry I've been blog visiting impaired..........ugh, or lazy, not sure.

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Amazing. I can't knit or sew, but I have a drop of water I can add to the ocean. Thanks for the post.

MaryRC said...

Tammy and her needles doing good, im not surprised, what a freakin big heart you have, dont sell yourself short..