Pantene Beautiful Lengths: The gift of hair

Jeff Bryant

Many of us take our hair for granted, but not Flagler sophomore Jeff Bryant. Prior to attending Flagler, he faced a year-long battle with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. For nine long months, he underwent chemotherapy, which in trying to destroy all the large dividing cells in the body like cancer, it also kills hair cells. Within a month of his treatment, Bryant was completely bald.

Fortunately, there are organizations like Panteene Beautiful Lengths who help cancer patients cope with their hair loss. This organization provides cancer patients with wigs, which are made from individuals who voluntarily cut and donate their hair.

Now Flagler student Sarah Annaloro and the Sports Management Club have teamed up with a local hair salon to host a Pantene fundraiser event Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m in Jay’s place, located in the Ringhaver Student Center. Participants must be willing to donate at least eight inches of their hair. The hair will then be bagged and given to Pantene, where it will then be constructed into a beautiful wig for someone who is battling cancer.

Annaloro discovered Pantene Beautiful Lengths when she participated in the fundraiser in high school when girls lined up to donate their long, luscious locks. Her passion for helping people, along with the fundraiser’s success, inspired her to continue it in college. She hopes to inspire current and future Flagler students to host the event and participate in donating their hair.

“Flagler says, ‘Build Your Legacy,’ so I decided to do just that,” she said.

As for Bryan, it’s been one year since since his last chemotherapy treatment, which successfully cured his cancer. His hair is curlier and fluffier than ever. As it grew longer, he said he didn’t know if he was going to cut it.

“I’m just happy to have hair again,” he said. “I’m not ready to cut it yet.”