TODAY'S TURN: Wig out!

THE ISSUE:
Being a kid is tough enough. Being a kid with a medical problem is even tougher. But being a kid with a medical problem that makes your hair fall out? That's bordering on unfair.

Imagine being an insecure teenager trying to grow up bald. Or (sometimes even worse) wearing an ill-fitting, taped-on, obviously fake wig that could slip off or be pulled off at just the wrong time. Swimming, showering, even running and jumping become stressful events. Not to mention dating. And I thought I had it bad with braces.

It can happen with an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata, which causes hair follicles to shut down. Most of the time, the hair isn't coming back. The same can happen with severe burns or chemo treatments for kids with cancer.

THE GOOD TURN:
Got long hair? Perfect. Next time you get your hair cut, see if you can donate the clippings to Locks of Love. This non-profit creates custom hairpieces for financially strapped kids under 18 with long-term hair loss.

Men, women, young, old, all colors and races can donate. (80% of their donations come from kids helping other kids. That's cool.) The only rule is you gotta have hair at least 10 inches long. If you do, many salons will cut it for free if you're donating to Locks of Love. Before you get it cut, be sure to read this list of donation guidelines. The hair has to be cut and treated a certain way to make it usable for wigs, so make sure you get it right. Better yet, just print the guidelines up and take them to your stylist.

A good hairpiece isn't a cure, but it does make things a little more normal in a bad time. That's fair.

Click here to do this Good Turn:
Learn more about the experience
Print up a hair donation form
If you own a salon, find out how you can help
Find a new hairstyle and grow your hair out!