Farmington Hills 9-Year-Old Donates Hair for the Third Time

Farmington Hills resident Elise Kravitz donated her long hair Saturday to help children who have lost theirs.

The chopping was done at Charity Ball 7, an event benefitting Children with Hairloss, Inc. (CWH) at Laurel Manor in Livonia. Approximately 300 people attended the event which raised $40,000 to help fund custom hair pieces for children with a variety of medical conditions, such as burns, alopecia and cancer. Seven people cut and donated pony tails that will become part of hair pieces for future recipients.

The event’s featured speaker was Makayla Marcero, 17, of Carleton. The Airport High School senior has received free hair pieces from CWH since age 7, when she began experiencing symptoms of alopecia. The teasing and bullying she experienced as a young girl was “the most challenging thing I ever had to endure,” she said.

But having the custom made, “playground proof” hair pieces boosted her confidence. “It, gave me my identity back as a girl,” she said. “I’m so glad they could help me out through all the hard times I’ve been through. They’ve inspired me to do a lot more with my life.” Marcero is planning to study physical therapy after high school.

Elise has already donated her hair three times. “I’m happy that I did this, because it’s more important that kids with no hair don’t get teased,” said the Highmeadow Common Campus 4th grader.

Other donations made at the event were of the more traditional kind.

The Hamilton family honored their father John, who was a long-time supporter of CWH before his death in 2010. One of John’s sons, Mike Hamilton, of Northville, presented a $2,000 check to the organization from tribute hearts sold in October at the Hamilton family’s lounges in Inkster, Ypsilanti and Southgate.

“This was one of my dad’s favorite charities,” said Hamilton. “Dad always wanted to help out. He instilled that in us. We couldn’t be more honored to be here tonight.”

CWH was founded in 2000 by Regina Villemure, a South Rockwood, MI hair stylist and salon owner specializing in hair replacement, and a volunteer with cancer organizations. Her mission began over 20 years ago, when her niece was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and underwent chemotherapy for five years. Through CWH, children can receive a new hair replacement, free, once a year until age 21. For details, visit childrenwithhairloss.us.