BONNYVILLE – Nina Veenstra described the possibility of shaving her head as “a literal nightmare,” which is why she was surprised when her daughter, Malia Mosher, made the request repeatedly over the past couple of years.
“I was worried she might regret it,” Veenstra told LakelandToday. “The fact that she wanted to do it and give it away was like ‘okay, this is your body and your hair. You’re old enough to make that decision.’”
While Mosher isn’t exactly sure where her inspiration came from, she knew she wanted to donate her hair for a good cause.
When it came to cutting her locks, Mosher decided to take the plunge and completely chop off all 14 inches of her hair.
“I would have had a bit of hair leftover, but I decided to shave my entire head,” she noted.
Mosher decided to send her locks to Canadian-based charity Angel Hair for Kids, which requires a 12-inch donation of hair to make a wig. The charity estimates that thousands of Canadian children lose their hair each year due to cancer treatments, alopecia, and other medical causes.
Started in 1995, Angel Hair for Kids provides each recipient with a personal appointment at a salon that specializes in wigs and hair loss. The wigs are provided at no cost to the children or their families thanks to monetary and hair donations.
When Mosher was looking into the charity, she noticed it takes $2,000 and 10 to 12 ponytails to make a single wig.
“It was the only one in Canada, and also the only one that would allow me to donate hair because of coronavirus,” explained Mosher.
They request a $2 donation be made to go towards the cost, but Mosher knew she had to do more.
The 12-year-old was able to raise $950 thanks to the help of friends and family before sending her hair off, surpassing her goal of $500.
“They’re all good people because they took their hard-earned money and donated it to the cause,” Mosher exclaimed.
Veenstra described her daughter as an inspiration, and hopes her story can touch others.
“I’m so proud that she can be so selfless and caring. A lot of kids aren’t like that, and I’m just really proud.”
Veenstra added, “It was a strange feeling to have the clippers in my hand and the remainder of her locks on the floor. But, when all was said and done, I saw the most beautiful woman standing in front of me.”
Since making the decision during quarantine, Mosher has been getting used to feeling the wind on her head and not having to brush her hair. She’s spoken to several people about her decision to donate and has even convinced some to shave their own heads.
“It will grow back in a couple of years, and it will make a big difference so you should really help somebody who really needs it,” she exclaimed.
