A donation years in the making

Three years ago, Sean Lupher and a friend decided to grow their hair.

Three years and more than 10 inches of hair later, Sean got a much-needed haircut and donated his blond locks to charity.

The Klahowya Secondary School rising senior began growing his hair three years ago. Sean’s mother, Cori Lupher, suggested that he donate his hair to Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children younger than 18 suffering from long-term hair loss due to medical conditions such as alopecia or cancer.

“He said he wanted to grow it long and I said if you’re going to take care of it why not give it to charity,” Cori said.

Sean agreed immediately. Hair donated to Locks of Love must be at least 10 inches long, so with a goal in mind, Sean continued growing his hair for charity.

Sean said he has never had hair longer than 10 inches and his peers gave him several nicknames, but after a while he got used to having long hair.

“It was strange at first, but then I got used to it,” Sean said. “I’ve never had to put it in a ponytail before.”

Sean got his hair cut Saturday at the J.C. Penney salon. He asked the stylist to give him a shaggy haircut as opposed to cutting it short.

“I don’t look good in short hair at all,” he said with a smile.

Cori said she’s glad he cut his hair for charity, but now she has to get used to seeing her son with shorter hair.

“He’s been three years with long hair, now I have to get used to seeing him with short hair,” she said with a smile.

Sean’s hair will be mailed to Locks of Love, based in Lake Worth, Fla. Cori and Sean hope to receive a photograph of the child who receives the hairpiece made of Sean’s hair.

“We’re hoping to be in contact with the recipient,” Cori said.

Sean said he might grow his hair and donate it to Locks of Love again in the future. For more information about Locks of Love, visit the Web site at www.locksoflove.org.

“It’s a good charity,” Cori said. “All it takes is time and patience.”

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