Sisters lose their waist-length locks for cancer

After growing their hair for two years, through knots and battles with combs, three Tauranga sisters have donated their hair to cancer patients, while raising more than $2000.

The Bay of Plenty Times reported in April that sisters Mikayla, 16, Ella Rose, 11, and Sadie Carter-Hall, 6, decided to donate their hair to cancer patients after a close family friend was diagnosed with the disease.

(Front to back) Sadie, 6, Ella Rose, 11, and Mikayla Carter-Hall, 16, before the cut. Photo / George Novak

Yesterday, they finally parted with their long locks.

As well as giving their hair away, the girls raised $2255 for the Breast Cancer Society through their Givealittle donation page which ran until May 11.

Before losing their locks, Mikayla said she was curious to see how it would look after her waist-long curly, dark hair was turned into a bob.

Mother Kiri Hall said she was "just excited to not have to do Sadie's hair again".

Sadie said she thought it was "cool" to know her hair was going to be turned into a wig.

"It still feels like I've got long hair," Sadie said.

Ms Hall said there had been some tears in the initial cut, but afterwards Sadie asked if she could do it again.

The girls hold their freshly cut ponytails, to be turned into wigs for cancer patients. Photo / George Novak

Ella Rose's two ponytails of hair, and Mikayla's and Sadie's would all be going to cancer patients who had lost their own hair.

The money raised had already been given to the Breast Cancer Foundation, but the family were still being asked if people could donate.

"I'm pretty proud, especially as it was all Mikayla. She wasn't prompted to do it in anyway," Ms Hall said.

The girls lost their locks at Subi Hair Boutique. Hairdresser Becky Urquhart said it was the first time she had cut hair for wigs.

How to donate:

* For more information, and on how to donate to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Society, go to: www.nzbcf.org.nz/OnlineDonation