Students make and donate wigs to cancer patients

Seniors in the cosmetology program at Heights High visited the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in May to donate their hand-crafted wigs.

Students in Heights High’s cosmetology program recently donated to local cancer patients 38 wigs that they handcrafted this spring. Since 2016, the students have made and donated a total of 82 wigs.

"A lot of my friends have close relatives who have died from cancer. To help, it just means a lot," said junior Kaela Ruffin.

"I feel happy that I'm going to make someone feel beautiful," added senior Morghan Bynum. "I wanted to do something that I thought was really creative and that I thought someone would really love."

Under the direction of instructor Donna Pollard, the students collaborated with the American Cancer Society to donate the wigs to local patients. Shortly before graduation in late May, a group of senior cosmetology students visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center to donate wigs to the center’s wig salon.

"We're able to help more than just one person. The more wigs we make, the better," said junior Serenity Jackson.

"They're doing it on their own," said Pollard. "They're giving back to society. They're actually taking from scratch, making a wig and making a difference in life."

The students, who use human hair to create a higher-quality wig, must learn to sew and style the wigs they create. Pollard has donated much of the funds needed to purchase the materials to make these wigs over the past three years. She’s not ready to stop anytime soon, and has encouraged other cosmetology and barbering programs around the state to make and donate wigs of their own.

To make a contribution to the cosmetology wig program, contact the Heights Schools Foundation at info@heightsalumni.org or 216-320-2203.

The cosmetology program comprises juniors and seniors in the Heights Career Tech Consortium, which also includes Bedford, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights and Warrensville Heights high schools.

Scott Wortman

Scott Wortman is the supervisor of communications for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

Read More on Schools
Volume 11, Issue 7, Posted 12:59 PM, 06.19.2018