Donating 1 Metre of Hair in Honour of My Mother

“Hair is hair – and hair grows back. For most people.”

That has been my motto for many years.
To me, hair has always been something you can play with. Colours, lengths, hairstyles – it all grows back.

But for some, it doesn’t.

And that’s where hair donation takes on a whole new meaning.

Braids from the USA in 1997. They became too heavy, and the hair had to be cut off completely. Back then, it was “just hair”. Something that would grow back.

When Cancer Came Close

Cancer isn’t just something that happens to “other people”.

My little brother lost his best friend when they were only 15–16 years old. They were a close-knit group of boys, and when their friend lost his hair during treatment, he did not stand alone.

In 2015, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was detected early and she “only” needed radiation therapy. She kept her hair.

But that was when I stopped colouring mine.

Maybe because, even back then, I knew that one day I would donate it.

 

First Donation

I have always wanted to donate my hair.
But when you both dye it and occasionally cut it short, it requires planning.

During my pregnancy in 2016, my hair grew like crazy – and it continued even while I was breastfeeding. I trimmed it myself, and when I finally decided to donate for the first time, there were no old colour residues left.

In 2020, it had grown so long that I was able to send 40 cm off to Toftild.
A friend had the honour of cutting it 😍

It was a special feeling. To give something that, for me, “just” grows back – but for someone else can mean confidence, dignity, and a sense of recognition during a difficult time.

First donation back in 2020 – 40 cm sent off

 

When My Mother Lost Her Hair

In December 2023, we received the news you are never ready for:
My mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

This time, chemotherapy followed – and this time, she lost her hair.

My mother had always had long, white hair. It must run in the family. Mine is heading that way too.

Around April 2024, her hair was cut to shoulder length because it had started falling out. At the same time, she was measured for a wig, which gave her comfort during a difficult time. As far as I remember, her hair was also donated 🥰

Later, she cut off the rest, and I helped with a trimmer.

My 7-year-old son was part of the journey the whole way. He had a very close relationship with his grandmother and found it strange that she was losing her hair.

We talked about everything – at a child’s level. No questions were wrong. He shouldn’t feel left out. And that is still how it is.

Mother Lene without and with a wig

 

1 Metre of Hair – In Her Honour

In March 2024, another 30 cm was sent off for donation.

And that’s when the idea arose:
1 metre of hair.

Not all at once – but in total.

Second donation in 2024 – 30 cm sent off

It has become an item on my bucket list. A goal that is about more than length. It is about giving back. About doing something tangible in a reality where you often otherwise feel powerless.

Thankfully, our whole family has come through the grief of losing our beloved mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. My (perhaps) final hair donation will take place at the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.

Hair is hair.
It grows back – for most people.

But for some, it means everything to get even a small part of themselves back.

And if I can contribute 1 metre of hair along the way, then I will ❤️

- Stine Andersen