Berlin man donates over 18 inches of hair to Wigs For Kids

Gail Wisnowski and Gail Luciano, owners of True Salon Spa and Boutique, in West Berlin examine the hair to make sure it isn't dyed or damaged and meets donation standards. They then put it in quadrants or smaller sections and eventually ship it off so a custom hairpiece can be made for a child with cancer.

On Tuesday, Mar. 3, Berlin resident Michael Lalena who has been harvesting his hair for more than 30 years, donated 18 inches to the Nonprofit organization Wigs For Kids.

"This was definitely my best experience donating and I highly recommend the pair of them," said Lalena. This was the eighth time Lalena has donated his hair.

Lalena gave high praise to a room in the boutique where cancer patients go. He said that he likes how cancer patients can feel at ease because they can't see themselves in the mirror.

"They go in the room after their third chemotherapy treatment and we educate them about what could happen to their hair next," said Wisnowski.

The room, which was suggested to Wisnowski after one of her best friend's clients was diagnosed with cancer, has been a part of True Salon Spa and Boutique ever since it opened a decade ago.

When asked if he plans on donating for a 9th and 10th time Lalena replied with "Of course!"

For more information go to www.wigsforkids.org or donate locally at the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation at www.victoriousfoundation.org/give.