The Big Chop - young girl’s heartfelt mission to help cancer patients through her big haircut

Tayla Slade says she is looking forward to having shorter hair when "The Big Chop" takes place. The hair will be made into a wig to be worn by someone who has lost their hair from cancer treatment.

Gisborne 5-year-old Tayla Slade is about to reach a lifetime goal of having her long locks cut off to raise money for the Cancer Society.

After growing her hair her entire life, Tayla is not at all afraid of it being all chopped off. She’s actually looking forward to having short hair that won’t get in her eyes.

It will be the first haircut she has ever had.

Tayla is single-minded in her mission to have her hair made into a wig which can then be worn by someone who has lost their hair from cancer treatment.

“The Big Chop, as it has been named, is to take place at the House of Hair salon after she has reached her fundraising goal of $1000.

The hair, which will go to Dunedin wig-makers Freedom Hair, must be of a certain length and in good condition.

“In order to donate, it must be 13.5 centimetres long, never coloured or processed and needs to be tied into ponytails and cut (without touching the salon floor),” Tayla’s mum Sarah Slade said.

“Tayla was born with dark hair and it has always grown fast. That’s what prompted us to think of donating it. We have had to do all sorts of hairstyles over the years to manage the length and keep the knots out.”

The family chose to donate to the Cancer Society because of their own losses from the disease which affects countless individuals and families.

Tayla’s great-grandmother on her mum’s side - affectionately known as “Nana Nana” - died a few years ago after a courageous battle with cancer.

Tayla’s great-grandfather on her mother’s side died of melanoma when her grandfather (Pepee) was just 12.

Hair today ... 5-year-old Tayla Slade is set to have her first-ever haircut in a Cancer Society fundraiser.

She is already halfway to her fundraising target and will also donate the money received from Freedom Hair for her hair.

Freedom Hair comprises a team of over 45 people. The production staff are specialists in their field of the manufacturing process be it hair grading, blending, implantation or mould-making.

To donate go to “Tayla’s Big Chop Page” www.youcanforcancer.org.nz/taylasbig