Swiveling in the high barber’s chair, itching from the Velcro of the too-tight collar, waiting to give up what has taken years to grow.

The scissors inch closer, and in a second inches are gone.

A child’s wish will soon be granted.

This is made possible by Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from hair loss due to medical reasons.

The majority of the children who receive the hairpieces are suffering from alopecia areata, a medical condition with no known cause or cure, according to the Locks of Love Web site. Children with cancer are also common recipients of the Locks of Love hairpieces, the site said.

Laura Constance, a sophomore in zoology and veterinary medicine, has donated hair to Locks of Love. Constance said she first heard about Locks of Love from her friends, who convinced her to donate hair.

“My hair grows really fast and is really thick,” she said. “I have no use for it, so why not give it to someone who needs it?”

Constance said she has donated her hair three times, giving about 14 inches per visit. Each time, Constance said she allowed her tresses to grow for around two years before cutting.

“If you have long hair, why not — the hair is just going to be thrown away otherwise,” she said. “Locks of Love is a great organization and the wigs look amazing since it is made of real human hair.”

Cassandra Schultz, a 2007 alumna who is in her first year in veterinary medicine, said she has donated hair twice. On both occasions, Schultz gave about 18 inches of hair.

Schultz first donated her locks her senior year in high school. Her second donation was made during her sophomore year of college.

“I figured that if I’m going to be cutting my hair, I might as well donate it to a good cause,” Schultz said. “Recently, I’ve been debating cutting my hair again and I will probably wait another year so I will be able to donate a sizable length.”

Locks of Love is dependent upon the donations of those — like Schultz — who are willing to provide hair for the wigs the organization helps make, the Web site said.

Laura-Nelle Parnell is another Locks of Love donor. Parnell, a sophomore in political science, said she has donated hair once.

“I had been growing it out for years so I could give it to Locks of Love,” Parnell said.

Pre-haircut, Parnell said her hair grazed her elbows — the finished product left Parnell with a chin-length style.

And though the change was drastic, Parnell said she plans to donate hair again.

“Cutting my hair off was a little scary, but absolutely worth it,” she said. “Someone needed my hair much more than I did.”

Regulations for hair donations

Anyone can cut and donate hair, as long as the guidelines are followed.

The hair must be a minimum of 10 inches from end to end in order to make the hairpiece. The hair, which can be colored or permed, must also be in a ponytail or braid.

Layered hair may be donated if the longest layer is 10 inches or more — curly hair can be straightened before measuring. If the hair has been cut years ago, it can still be used — it just has to be in a ponytail or braid.

Bleached or highlighted cannot be used.

Hair that has been shaved off is not usable.

Dreadlocks, wigs, hair extensions or fake hair are not accepted.

Grey hair is accepted, but not made into hairpieces — it is sold to equalize the manufacturing costs.

How to donate hair once cut

Place the clean and completely dry ponytail inside a plastic bag, and then inside a padded envelope.

Complete the hair donation form, which can be found on the Web site.

Write your name and address on a separate sheet of paper. Place it in the envelope.

Send envelope to:

2925 10th Avenue NSuite 102Lake Worth, FL 33461-3099

source: locksoflove.org