Matheson girl donates hair to charity on her birthday
A few days shy of her thirteenth birthday, Mia Therrien from Matheson is doing something big with her hair.
When the COVID-19 lockdowns of salons delayed the cutting of her hair, she decided to let it grow with the intention of donating it to a charity that makes wigs for children and youths.
"I’m happy just because I wanted to help a lot of little kids," she said.
One day, Mia's grandmother shared the idea with Timmins salon owner, Louise Lafond. Over the summer, Lafond became a northern Ontario partner of the 'Angel Hair for Kids' program which makes wigs for youths under the age of eighteen who've lost their own hair due to illness or other causes.
Lafond of Look 140 said Therrien has "gorgeous, beautiful hair, so some child will benefit from her gift."
Lafond said anyone can give their hair to the cause. She needs to cut twelve inches of untreated hair and it will be sent away to South Korea where it will be handmade into a wig. Lafond will also meet with any child in the region who may happen to need a wig.
"They pick the colour, the thickness, the density of the hair and every child that qualifies will be guaranteed a wig, one a year until they reach 18."
Lafond said about 70 per cent of her clientele is now wearing their hair longer due to salon closures during COVID-19 lockdowns; and as a result, organizations that accept offerings of hair say they have been experiencing an increase in contributions during the pandemic.
Grandmother and mom are proud of Mia's selflessness.
"She’s always been very caring and she likes doing things for others and just a big heart all around," said Stefanie Lessard, Mia's mother.
In return for her goodwill, Mia received a makeover from Lafond--highlights and a cut--and she is ready to return to school on Monday with her fresh look, that perhaps will inspire others to cut off their COVID-locks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'