Today we have launched the #bysarahponytailchallenge, as featured in Glamour magazine, and encourage you to keep growing your hair and then donate it towards making real-hair wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer. Inspired by By Sarah co-founder, Lauren's journey of donating her hair to the charity when she was being treated for leukaemia before all her hair fell out. 

Watch the launch campaign video here and support our Just Giving page.

 

Having been both a recipient and now a donor for the Little Princess Trust, we asked Lauren to tell us about her cancer journey and the impact the trust had during that time:

Losing my hair to cancer

"When I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia 8 years ago, I knew that I was going to lose my hair. I had really long, silky soft blonde hair at the time. I made the decision to donate my hair before it was too late. 

I remember the day Sarah came to my hospital room and we tied my hair into a long plait and she cut it off. It was a really hard day and I eventually lost all my hair, becoming bald, including thinning eyebrows and eyelashes.

What was special was having Sarah with me every step of the way. She was the epitome of strength, love and compassion, seeing me change from the fit and healthy student that I was to the bed-ridden and bald hospital patient that I became in a matter of weeks."

Supporting the Little Princess Trust

"My long ponytail was donated to the Little Princess Trust, who make real-hair wigs and fund vital research into finding a cure for childhood cancers. This charity is a special one and it's something I talked about in my podcast interview with Ella Mills of Deliciously Ella.

The Little Princess Trust very kindly sent me a real hair wig and I was so grateful for this act of kindness. The nature of the cancer I had meant that I was kept in protective isolation in my hospital room for weeks on end, I couldn't leave my hospital room other than for checks, scans, tests elsewhere in the hospital. So, I ended up wearing a scarf on my head rather than the wig, but it was reassuring to know I always had that option.

I will be donating my hair again at the end of the summer, as an act of gratitude and defiance in the face of adversity. What a journey it's been over the last 8 years and I'm sure this will bring back many memories and I hope inspire many of you to also donate your hair and support the fundraising activities of the Little Princess Trust."

Join the #bysarahponytailchallenge

As official partners and Ambassadors of the charity, we're inviting you to take part in our #bysarahponytailchallenge to grow your hair and to nominate two of your friends to join you. It takes fourteen 30cm ponytails to make one wig and so every ponytail really does count.

Donating your hair 

If you are thinking of cutting your hair soon or going to the hairdressers, please consider donating your hair to the charity. The ideal length of hair they request is 17cm - 30cm. It costs the charity £550 to make a real hair wig (including crafting the wig, sending and fitting) and takes 14 hair donations to make a single wig. There are specific guidelines for cutting and donating your hair that need to be followed.

Have any questions? Reach out to us at care@bysarahlondon.com, or message us over on our Instagram, @bysarahlondon. We love to hear from you.

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